Document: 463 U.S. 85 103 S.Ct. 2890 77 L.Ed.2d 490 Robert R. SHAW, Acting Commissioner, etc., et al., Appellantsv.DELTA AIR LINES, INC., al. No. 81-1578. Argued Jan. 10, 1983. Decided June 24, 1983*. Syllabus New York's Human Rights Law forbids discrimination in employee benefit plans on the basis of pregnancy, and its Disability Benefits requires employers to pay sick leave benefits employees unable work because pregnancy. Section 514(a) federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act 1974 (ERISA) provides, with enumerated exceptions, that ERISA shall supersede "any all state laws insofar as they may now or hereafter relate any plan" covered by ERISA. does not mandate provide particular benefits, itself proscribe provision benefits. Prior effective date Pregnancy Discrimination 1978 (PDA), which made based pregnancy unlawful under Title VII Civil 1964, appellee had welfare subject did disabled Appellees brought three separate declaratory judgment actions Federal District Court, alleging was pre-empted Appellee airlines also alleged preempted. The Court each case held pre-empted, at least it required prior PDA. As airlines' challenge Law, construed § 4(b)(3) exempting from coverage those provisions an plan maintained comply disability insurance laws, and, concluded appellees would have provided solely court dismissed portion complaint seeking relief law. Appeals affirmed Law. With respect 4(b)(3)'s exemption pre-emption applied only when a plan, "as integral unit," is remanded for determination whether through such plans, event be enforceable, portions comprehensive regulation exclusive. Held: 1. Given 514(a)'s plain language, ERISA's structure legislative history, both "relate within meaning 514(a). Pp. 95-100. 2. prohibits practices are lawful Pp.100-106. (a 514(d) provides "shall . modify [or] impair law United States." To extent means enforcing VII's commands, 514(d). State fair employment administrative remedies play significant role enforcement scheme VII. If were interpreted pre-empt entirely no longer could prohibit relating agency authorized grant relief. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission thus refer claims involving agency. This frustrate goal encouraging joint state/federal 100-102. (b) Insofar VII, however, While operate exempt upon depend their enforcement, combination Congress' enactment all-inclusive enumeration narrow, specific exceptions militate against expanding into more general saving clause. 514(d)'s limited history consistent ensuring face conflicting inconsistent local plans. 103-106. 3. Pp.103-106. (a) ERISA, exempts purpose complying applicable laws," excludes "plans," coverage. Hence, multibenefit regulation. use word "solely" demonstrates entire must Thus, separately administered 4(b)(3). 106-108 A require employer maintain but fact permits meet state-law obligations including make wholly unenforceable who choose option. P.108 0 650 F.2d 1287 666 21; 27 26, part, vacated remanded. Deborah Bachrach, York City, appellants. Gordan Dean Booth, Jr., Atlanta, Ga., appellees. Justice BLACKMUN delivered opinion Court. 1 employment, State's sick-leave other nonoccupational disabilities. question before us these (ERISA). 2 * A. 3 N.Y.Exec.Law §§ 290-301 (McKinney 1982 Supp.1982-1983), anti-discrimination statute prohibiting, among practices, sex. 296.1(a).1 has private whose treats differently onoccupational disabilities engages sex Brooklyn Union Gas Co. v. Appeal Board, 41 N.Y.2d 84, 390 N.Y.S.2d 884, 359 N.E.2d 393 (1976). In contrast, two weeks decision Gas, this ruled 78 Stat. 253, amended, 42 U.S.C. 2000e seq. (1976 ed.). General Electric Gilbert, 429 125, 97 401, 50 343 (1976).2 Congress overcame Gilbert ruling enacting 1978, 92 2076, 2000e(k) ed., Supp. V), added subsection (k) 701 1964.3 See Newport News Shipbuilding Dry Dock EEOC, --- ----, 2622, 2627, 75 (1983). Until took effect April 29, 1979, see 2(b), reach broader than 4 N.Y.Work.Comp.Law 200-242 1965 certain injuries illness. Disabled generally entitled receive lesser $95 per week one-half average weekly wage, maximum 26 one-year period. 204.2, 205.1. August 1977, pregnancy-related 205.3 1965). From 1977 1981, eight N.Y.Laws, ch. 675, 29 (formerly codified 205.3). limitation repealed 1981 352, 2, same disability.4 B 5 1974, 88 829, 1001 ed. subjects providing fringe designed promote interests beneficiaries Nachman Corp. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., 446 359, 361-362, 100 1723, 1726-1727, 64 354 (1980); Alessi Raybestos-Manhattan, Inc., 451 504, 510, 101 1895, 1899, 68 402 (1981). term "employee defined pension plans.5 imposes participation, funding, vesting requirements 201-306, 1051-1086 V). It sets various uniform standards, rules concerning reporting, disclosure, fiduciary responsibility, 101-111, 401-414, 1021-1031, 1101-1114 6 1144(a), pre-empts ERISA.6 regulating insurance, banking, securities provision, criminal laws. 514(b)(2)(A) (b)(4), 1144(b)(2)(A) (b)(4). 514(d), 1144(d), moreover, "[n]othing title alter, amend, modify, invalidate, impair, States rule issued law." And 1003(b)(3), "maintained workmen's compensation unemployment laws." II 7 litigation, Delta Air Lines, (Airlines), Burroughs Corporation (Burroughs), Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (Metropolitan), medical These Act, appellant agencies officials,7 Airlines action similarly pre-empted.8 8 Act.9 Airlines' "those with" Inc. Kramarsky, 485 F.Supp. 300, 307 (SDNY 1980). Because 9 Second Circuit 21 (1981); (1981).10 Relying Court's Alessi, supra, own Pervel Industries, Connecticut & Opportunities, 603 214 (1979), mem. aff'g 468 (Conn.1978), cert. denied, 444 1031, 701, 62 667 (1980), operated save pre-emption.11 earlier 1287, 1304 inquiries constituting units, 10 courts disagreed about scope provisions,12 continuing importance issues presented,13 we noted probable jurisdiction cases. 456 924, 102 1968, 72 439 (1982). III 11 deciding statute, our task ascertain intent issue. "Pre-emption either express implied, 'is compelled command explicitly stated statute's language implicitly contained purpose.' Jones Rath Packing Co., 430 519, 525 [97 1305, 1309, 51 604] (1977)." Fidelity Savings Loan Assn. de la Cuesta, 458 3014, 3022, 73 664 Exxon Eagerton, 2296, 2300-2301, - (1983); Pacific Energy Resources Conservation Development Comm'n, 1713, 1722, 752 case, address several speak expressly pre-emption. to" 514(a), n. 6, if so, exception saves them pre-emption.14 12 We difficulty concluding breadth pre-emptive apparent section's language.15 "relates normal sense phrase, connection reference plan.16 Employing definition, structuring manner discriminates clearly plans.17 give unless there good reason believe intended some restrictive meaning. Consumer Product Safety Comm'n GTE Sylvania, 447 102, 108, 2051, 2056, 766 North Dakota States, 1095, 1102, Dickerson Banner Institute, 986, 990, 74 845 13 fact, used words broad sense. interpret preempt specifically affect ignore remainder 514. been unnecessary statutes 514(b), example, dealing 14 Nor, given can matters ERISA—reporting, like. bill became originally clause, ERISA.18 Conference Committee rejected favor present indicated language. H.R.Conf.Rep. 93-1280, p. 383 (1974); S.Conf.Rep. 93-1090, (1974), U.S.Code Cong. Admin.News 4639.19 Statements bill's sponsors during subsequent debates stressed Representative Dent, stated: 15 "Finally, I wish note what many crowning achievement legislation, reservation authority sole power regulate field preemption field, round out protection afforded participants eliminating threat regulation." 120 Cong.Rec. 29197 (1974). Senator Williams echoed sentiments: 16 "It should narrow specified bill, substantive conference substitute regulations, principle apply broadest governments, instrumentality thereof, force Id., 29933.20 17 hold 514(a).21 IV 18 next consider 19 Appellants argue "be According appellants, change enforced. 20 obviously See, e.g., Kremer Chemical Construction 461, 468-469, 472, 477, 1883, 1890-1891, 1892, 262 (1982); id., S.Ct., 1908 (dissenting opinion); Gaslight Club, Carey, 54, 63-65, 2024, 2030-2031, 723 (1980). preserves nonconflicting 708: "Nothing deemed relieve person liability, duty, penalty, punishment future political subdivision State, purports permit doing act practice title." 272, 2000e-7.22 22 Moreover, recourse available remedies. When prohibited occurred locality established enforce prohibition, (EEOC) refers charges EEOC actively process "before expiration sixty days after proceedings commenced law, terminated." 706(c), 86 104, 2000e-5(c); Love Pullman 404 522, 616, 30 679 (1972). proceedings, accords "substantial weight" determination. 706(b), 2000e-5(b). 23 scheme, commands. Before claiming his referred Division Rights. challenged claim VII; employee's ones. Such disruption contemplated would, "modify" "impair" law.23 24 Although prevent extending nondiscrimination areas 708, 262, 2000e-7, way depends extensions enforcement. proh bit precisely enforced manner, even additional unlawful. Quite simply, neutral prohibit.24 fail how impaired prohibiting conduct permitted. 25 while particularly illuminating caution applying too expansively. detailed above, "in foreclose non-Federal plans," creating very (remarks Rep. Dent); 29933 Sen. Williams). Sections list do makes reluctant expand references expansive construction During floor debates, Mondale questioned Senate amended replied amendment necessary desirable. He already "I thrust toward centralized administration maintained. done terms existing 119 30409 (1973). Mondale, "with understanding profit-sharing fully Act," 30410, chose offer amendment. colloquy repeated House Representatives Abzug Dent. 4726 exchanges demonstrate obvious: speakers need "conflicting (1974) might well believed, considered precise issue us, forms discrimination. By establishing exclusively concern," U.S., 523, 1906, minimized interstate administer employees.25 28 recognize interpretation requiring partial cause practical problems. Courts agencies, rather considering will determine not, superseded lack act. seems likely, sufficiently familiar adjudicative processes. Many look matter course defining laws.26 event, minor difficulties represent kind "impairment" "modification" causes problems result congressional choice addressed action. advocated appellants defeat presents different problem. "described section 4(a) 4(b)." Consequently, plainly relates e empt 4(b). "disability law," course; offered whether, using multi-benefit Law's requirement remains enforceable. recognized, coverage; therefore, There "plan" 4(b) individual plan. contrary, "more broadly serve needs collective bargaining," exempt. 20, 20. test one employer's motive—any altruistically, attract employees, increase productivity, obey law—but unit, 31 Any rule, little Under approach, here, regulation, domain. An find jurisdictional pattern depending mandated disability, compensation, impracticality permitting mutually exclusive pockets apparent. torture achieve result. Only 32 say, completely free circumvent adopting combine inferior types surely intend, time preserved impossible. unit. App. 355.6 33 words, alter between state-mandated satisfied comports compel comply. Cou t erred, holding part V 34 extent, judgments affirmed. vacate remand 35 further although ERISA-covered therefore Appeals' ground opinion. 36 No costs allowed. 37 so ordered. Together Shaw, Corp.; Rights, appeal (see Rule 10.6). 296.1 provides: "1. discriminatory practice: "(a) For licensing agency, age, race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status individual, refuse hire employ bar discharge discriminate terms, conditions privileges employment." decision, declined follow interpreting analogous N.Y.2d, 86, 1, N.Y.S.2d, 886, N.E.2d, 395, Most same. Minnesota Mining Manufacturing Minnesota, 289 N.W.2d 396, 399, (Minn.1979) (collecting cases), dismissed, 1041, 725, 726 Subsection relevant part: "The 'because sex' 'on include, to, childbirth, related conditions; women affected treated employment-related purposes, receipt programs, persons similar ability inability work, nothing 703(h) otherwise." current version "§ 204. payable eligible beginning eighth consecutive day thereafter continuance limitations minimum amounts duration oth r sections hundred five six. "2. commencing July first, nineteen seventy-four exceed ninety-five dollars nor less twenty dollars; except wage dollars, wage. 205. Disabilities periods "No article: twenty-six period fifty-two calendar disability. ." 3(3), 1002(3). income deferral retirement income. 3(2), 1002(2). includes program contingencies illness, accident, death, unemployment. 3(1), 1002(1). "Except section, described "State law" "all decisions, rules, having State." 514(c)(1), 1144(c)(1). "State" "a subdivisions either, regulate, directly indirectly, ter 514(c)(2), 1144(c)(2). Southern named defendants Division's Counsel, Workmen's Compensation Board's Chairman. 28. Western Commissioner 81. Metropolitan, suing York, Division, Board. 88. contended Railway Labor 45 151-188; Pay 206(d); Exec. Order 11246, CFR 339 (1964-1965 Comp.); resolved Airlines, 21, (CA2 1981); 1296-1302 1981), us. reported 300 1980); opinions cases reported. enjoined December 1976 (the ) 1979 Act). Juris. Statement A75. latter date, held, moot include F.Supp., 302. Burroughs' prosecution refusal compensate January 1975 ERISA) (which mistakenly believed A103-A104. Metropolitan's enforceme court's order A119-A120. cases, course, since liability. consolidated appeal, argued day. "lead" case. Initially, reversed Courts' holdings 1308 1309 ordinarily controlling, bound dismissals, want substantial question, appeals 396 (Minn.1979), Mountain Telephone Telegraph Industry, 608 P.2d 1047 (Mont.1979), 445 921, 1304, 63 754 determined observed denied certiorari Pervel, reached opposite result, dismissing Mining. Understandably viewing sequence events "rather mystifying," F.2d, 1296, dismissals binding precedents lower courts, Hicks Miranda, 422 332, 343-345, 14, 95 2281, 2288-2290, 223 (1975), denials precedential force. After (1981), granted rehearing returned reasoning, "doctrinal development," 344-345, 2289-2290, warranted departure precedent set summary dispositions. 25-26. supra; Bucyrus-Erie Department Relations, 599 205 (CA7 1979), here regardless controversy thereby become significant, however; contain proscriptions respects, N.Y.Exec.Law. 296.1(a) (prohibiting status), uncertainty today Franchise Tax Board Laborers Vacation Trust, U.S.----, 2841, call courts' decide declaration Here, companies seek injunctions declarations pre-empted. beyond dispute over suits enjoin officials interfering rights. Ex parte Young, 209 123, 160-162, 441, 454-455, 52 L.Ed. 714 (1908). plaintiff seeks injunctive which, virtue Supremacy Clause Constitution, prevail, 1331 resolve. Smith Kansas City Trust 255 180, 199-200, 243, 244-245, 65 577 (1921); Louisville Nashville Mottley, 211 149, 152, 42, 43, 53 126 (1908); 2851-2852, L.Ed.2d, ---, 20; Note, Jurisdiction Declaratory Suits Challenging Action, 79 Colum.L.Rev. 983, 996-1000 (1979). frequently disputes posture. Ray Atlantic Richfield 435 151, 98 988, 55 179 1978); Florida Lime Avocado Growers, Paul, 373 132, 83 1210, 248 (1963); Hines Davidowitz, 312 52, 61 581 (1941). recently supra. Jersey method computing found, enacted Finding "meant establish "eliminates calculating benefits—integration—that permitted 524, 1907, relied law's frustration intent. That tension case; period, Congress, demonstrated desire it. Alessi's recognition instructive dispositive. 2854, (1983) (describing "virtually unique provision"); Allied Structural Steel Spannaus, 438 234, 248, 2716, 2724, 57 727 (1978) (dictum). Black's Dictionary 1158 (5th 1979) ("Relate. stand relation; bearing concern; pertain; refer; bring association with"). Sinclair Refining Jenkins Petroleum Process 689, 695, 736, 738, 1449 (1933). Accord, 205, 208-210 490, 492 aff'd mem., Of unaffected hiring, promotion, salary, passed House, H.R. 93d Cong., 2d Sess., Legislative History (Committee Print compiled Public Welfare), pp. 4057-4058 (1976) (Legislative History), "relat[ing] reporting disclosure responsibilities, acting behalf applies." Senate, Cong, 699(a) 3820, regulated Welfare Plans Disclosure Act." much narrower Administration proposal. Administration's recommendations conferees bills "extremely vague" "too broad," respectively, suggested making explicit Recommendations Conferees Provide Reform 107-108, 5145-5146. emerged bore resemblance Hutchinson Ifshin, Preemption 46 U.Chi.L.Rev. 23, 39-40, 121 (1978). 29942 Javits): "Both [original] but—with major appearing bill—defined perimeters relation bill. formulation raised possibility endless litigation validity impinge opening door multiple potentially hastily contrived deal aspect connected regulatory scheme. "Although desirability regulation—at level—undoubtedly warrants attention, balance, emergence pervasive interest uniformity required—but exceptions—the displacement programs." Javits assigned Congressional Task Force responsibility studying evaluating modifications policy necessary. Ibid. 3021, 3022(a)(4), 999 1221, 1222(a)(5) ed.)). monitoring Force, hearings Subcommittee Standards Education Labor, report provisions. expressed approval explaining "the great precluded." H.R.Rep. 94-1785, 47 (1977). recommended 514(b) narrowed still further. Some tenuous, remote, peripheral warrant finding Cf. American Merry, 592 118, (state garnishment spouse's alimony support orders pre-empted). borderline views where appropriate draw line. 1104, 268, 2000h-4. properly simplistic "double clause" argument—that transform Furthermore, clause applies conflict, just nonpre-emption provisions, double argument, taken logical extreme, almost light reliance difficult text. Pre-emption sort eliminate forum resolving that, situations, convenient substantially EEOC's workload. initial processing, settled level attention. Claims level, produced record, come without record. options coping burden, barring discoveries reserves budget, devote accept delays handling inevitable complete pre-emption, short, prohibition encourages enact greater Tr. Oral Arg. 6-7, 11. found statutory suggesting extends farther itself. 493, "Title create new laws; simply left VII." assist Report discrimination, 95-948, 9-11 (1978); S.Rep. 95-331, 10-11 (1977), 4749, observation conveys information mention ERISA; evidently, failed most efficient single Obligating satisfy varied perhaps nationwide difficult. number tailored States; inefficiency system presumably paid lowering levels. Alternatively, assuming offset expenses, reduce wages State. Another retain classes unwilling meant minimize interference Arizona Olson, 132 Ariz. 643 723, 727, Scarborough Arnold, 117 N.H. 803, 807, 379 A.2d 790, 793 (1977); Snell Montana-Dakota Utilities Mont. 841, 844 (Mont.1982); Orr Clyburn, 277 S.C. 536, 539, 290 S.E.2d 804, 806 (S.C.1982); Albertson's, Washington Wash.App. 697, 699-700, 544 98,

Category: 9