Legal Document

404 U.S. 282 92 Supreme Court Reporter 502 30 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 448 Georgia TOWNSEND, et al., Appellant,v.Harold O. SWANK, Director, Department of Public Aid Illinois, al. Loverta ALEXANDER Appellants, versus Harold Nos. 70—5021, 70—5032. Argued Nov. 8, 1971. Decided Dec. 20, Syllabus This class action challenges on equal protection and supremacy grounds an Illinois statute regulation under which needy dependent children 18 through 20 years old attending high school or vocational training qualify for benefits the federally assisted to Families With Dependent Children (AFDC) program, but such a college university do not qualify. A three-judge District upheld scheme. Held: Under § 402(a)(10) Social Security Act, state participating plan AFDC program must provide that aid families with shall be furnished reasonable promptness 'all eligible' individuals. Since 406(a)(2)(B) Act makes 20-year-olds eligible whether technical course, Congress has authorized no limitation eligibility standards within age group, conflicts federal statutory provision violates Supremacy Clause. Pp. 285—292. 314 F.Supp. 1082, reversed. Michael Federal KF105 F3 Lefkow, Chicago, Ill., Townsend. M. James Spitzer, Jr., New York City, Alexander others pro hac vice, by special leave Court. Donald Judge Veverka, appellees. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered opinion 1 two students their mothers, brought this in Northern alleging 4—1.1 Code, Ill.Rev.Stat., chapter 23, (1967) implementing Regulation 150 violate Equal Protection Clause Fourteenth Amendment, and, because inconsistent 42 Code KF62 606(a)(2)(B), also Constitution.1 who attend are 601 seq., eligible.2 Section 406(a)(2) other hand, defines 'dependent child' include child '. . (B) twenty-one (as determined State accordance prescribed Secretary) student regularly school, college, university, course designed fit him gainful employment.' district court held neither constitutional contention had merit sustained validity regulation. 1082 (1970). We noted probable jurisdiction, 401 906, 91 889, 27 804 (1971). hold conflict reason invalid therefore reverse ground without reaching issue. 2 * provides participatory plans submitted approval Secretary Health, Education, Welfare (HEW) 'that all individuals.' (Emphasis supplied.) In King Smith, 392 309, 88 2128, 1118 (1968), we considered may, consistently Clause, adopt exclude from applicable standards. There was before us case Alabama Pensions treated man cohabited mother outside home as nonabsent 'parent' statute. can granted 406(a) only if is continually absent home, Alabama's resulted ineligibility benefits. defined manner 'denying assistance (children) basis regulation, breached its imposed obligation furnish 'aid individuals .." U.S., at 333, S.Ct., 2141. 3 Thus, Smith establishes that, least absence congressional authorization exclusion clearly evidenced legislative history, standard excludes persons assistance, recognize HEW regulations seem imply may some extent vary requirements standards.3 However, principle accords substantial weight interpretation department entrusted administration inapplicable insofar those requirement 'to 333 n. 34, 2141, 1118. II 4 It next argued 18—20-year-old children, words, it contended discriminate between these solely upon type attended. Our examination history uncovered evidence asserted authority. On contrary, persuaded supports conclusion meant continue financial programs group conformed 5 18—20-year-olds training. The discretion written into permits determine, 'in Secretary,' particular student, regard his attendance 'regularly attending' bona fide school.4 particularization area authority itself cogent did authorize limit school. 6 Nor there anything evolution (2)(B) support appellees' argument.5 That does show whenever extended older children—from 16 16—17, finally 18—20—Congress left individual decision participate new group. however, proposition gave option tailor thus 7 original provided 16. 49 Statutes-at-Large 629. 1939 amendment 16—17 school,' 53 1380. were not, required extend 16—17-year See H.R.Rep. Number 728, 76th Cong., 1st Sess., 28—29 (1939). But chose so, word suggests might choice schools selected State, schools. 8 1956 deleted 70 850. Senate Report bill stated would 'permit sharing children' 'make additional aid.' S.Rep. 2133, 84th (1956), U.S.Code Cong. Admin.News 1956, Pages 3906, 3907. Conference 'eliminate order children.' H.R.Conf.Rep. 2936, (1956). Significantly, nothing change indicates liberty 16—17-year-olds school.6 9 first 18—20 came 1964 when limited 78 1042. As amendments extending program; 1517, 88th (1964), expressly 'extension optional States.' When 1965 amended form now said indicate adopted free university. relevant Report, 404, pt. 1, 89th 147 (1965), implies stating: 10 'Under existing law States, option, payments up 21 providing they pursuance study leading diploma equivalent committee added so 'attending university." & Admin. News 1965, Page 2087. 11 Moreover, notes one purposes extension bring line Old Age Survivors Disability Insurance provisions seq. insured's insurance he full-time 22 age, 402(d)(7) includes attributed both purpose 'assure, far possible, will prevented going deprived parental support.' supra, 147. theme carried Committee Report: 'This broaden over receive Government participate.' 682, 69 2264.7 12 sum, application group—in took care make explicit States. enlarged—in university—the evidence, clear, Any doubt resolved favor construction avoid necessity passing 'Congress power enlist cooperation joint federal-state legislation authorizes Clause.' Shapiro Thompson, 394 618, 641, 89 1322, 1335, 600 (1969). Notwithstanding view majority Court, F.Supp., 1088 1089, think serious question classification withstand strictures justified attain twin goals aiding become employable self-sufficient, insuring fiscal integrity State's welfare program. rationality means furthering goal self-sufficient; told what practical experience more readily than education. And interest preserving economically allocating resources protected device adopting restricting made 'undisputed set level ..' 334, 2142. Dandridge Williams, 397 471, 90 1153, 25 491 (1970).8 13 Reversed. 14 Chief BURGER, concurring result. 15 N Immigration Nationality Decisions concur result reached add brief comment. dealing cases—and cases Court's docket—it seems appropriate keep mind Title IV governs dispensation funds that. True, used 'power purse' force adhere wishes certain extent; adherence way mandatory inquiry any should simply indeed adhered accordingly entitled utilize Cf. Rosado Wyman, 397, 420, 1207, 1221—1222, 442 agree answer here negative; (1967), provides: 'Child Eligibility. 18, regular 'Regular Attendance,' Section, full time during terms schools, part rule permitting engage employment supplements classroom instruction otherwise enhances development toward self-supporting status.' 'Age Requirements: 'A.D.C. unless (This year college.)' Appellant lives her son Jerome Chicago. 18th birthday August 1968 enrolled junior about month later. early October Cook County officer notified Mrs. received since 1963 terminated November 1968. Though able obtain general termination loss $23.52 per family's income. given Townsend sole Omega Minor, child. Townsend, disabled, herself daughter 1953 1960. Thereafter she grant Omega, Disabled 1351 September 1966, college. Two months later Omega's monthly payment canceled January 1967. While Townsend's disability increased meet own needs, reduction $47.94 family Again failure comply Civil Rights 1983, seeking declaratory injunctive relief against intervened plaintiff behalf member described Alexander's complaint. court, convened pursuant 28 §§ 2281, 2284, appellants' complaint cause proper Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 23. Those holdings challenged See, e.g., HEW's so-called 'Condition X' embodied found 45 Regulations 233.10(a)(1)(ii), 36 Fed.Reg. 3866: 'The groups inclusion conditions arbitrary unreasonable basis, inequitable treatment light public titles Act.' HEW, Handbook Assistance Administration, IV, 4210 (1962); Note, Welfare's X,' 76 Yale L.J. 1222 (1967). Handbook, 3, 'Green Sheets,' G 3220 (1965); cf. H.R. Conf.Rep.No.682, 69—70 (1965). amicus curiae, cites sections supporting Illinois' college-vocational distinction authorized. For example, refers originally living 'father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, brother, sister, stepfather, stepmother, stepbrother, stepsister, uncle, aunt.' statement Senator Harrison debate provision, 79 Cong.Rec. 9269, establish every relative listed section. 407(b) cited explicitly reserving parts express authorizations depart standards; case. appears Columbia continued handicapped doing so. 50, Characteristics Plans (1964 ed.). states: 'Within taking G—3220 below acknowledged apparent incentives learn white- blue-collar trades supply demand professional labor positions same. concluded, could context market 'the skills manual laborers short supply,' market, 'as utilizing effort channel society great need, discrimination post-high trainees purely invidious, rather, rational approach correct perceived problem.' 1091. Apart fact nature channels people, poor low-paying, low-status jobs plainly raise questions

Classification Label: 1