USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 1 of 42
UNPUBLISHED
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT
No. 23-1214
MELODY RODGERS,
Plaintiff - Appellant,
and
BRANDEE RITSEMA; LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ;
RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY;
ELIZABETH ANDREWS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; KATHRINE
THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; MALACHI CHAPMAN; TIJANA
VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton;
KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY BORGHESE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON;
JESSICA KIRBY,
Plaintiffs,
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; LORA BYERS; OCERINE
COOPER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 2 of 42
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
No. 23-1162
BRANDEE RITSEMA,
Plaintiff - Appellant,
and
LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA
CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS;
MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI
CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA
HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY
2
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 3 of 42
BORGHESE; JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE;
DANIEL BLUE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON,
Plaintiffs,
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; LORA BYERS; OCERINE
COOPER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
3
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 4 of 42
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
No. 23-1216
EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL,
Plaintiffs - Appellants,
and
BRANDEE RITSEMA; LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ;
RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY;
ELIZABETH ANDREWS; MELODY RODGERS; JESSICA KIRBY; DANIEL
BLUE; BRENDA BLUE; KATHRINE THOMAS; MALACHI CHAPMAN;
TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia
Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY BORGHESE; CHRISTINA
ANDERSON,
Plaintiffs,
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; LORA BYERS; OCERINE
COOPER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
4
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 5 of 42
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
No. 23-1219
JESSICA KIRBY,
Plaintiff - Appellant,
and
BRANDEE RITSEMA; LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ;
RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY;
5
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 6 of 42
ELIZABETH ANDREWS; MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM
O’DELL; MALACHI CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN;
KESHIA HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL;
SALLY BORGHESE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; KATHRINE THOMAS;
BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE,
Plaintiffs,
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; LORA BYERS; OCERINE
COOPER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
6
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 7 of 42
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
No. 23-1248
KIMBERLY VIFINKLE,
Intervenor/Plaintiff - Appellant,
and
LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA
CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS;
MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI
CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA
HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY
BORGHESE; JESSICA KIRBY; BRANDEE RITSEMA; KATHRINE THOMAS;
BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON,
Plaintiffs,
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; LORA BYERS; OCERINE
COOPER,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
7
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 8 of 42
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
No. 23-1250
LORA BYERS,
Intervenor/Plaintiff - Appellant,
and
8
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 9 of 42
LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA
CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS;
MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI
CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA
HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY
BORGHESE; JESSICA KIRBY; BRANDEE RITSEMA; KATHRINE THOMAS;
BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON,
Plaintiffs,
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; OCERINE COOPER;
KIMBERLY VIFINKLE,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
9
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 10 of 42
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
No. 23-1253
OCERINE COOPER,
Intervenor/Plaintiff - Appellant,
and
LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA
CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS;
MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI
CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA
HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY
BORGHESE; JESSICA KIRBY; BRANDEE RITSEMA; KATHRINE THOMAS;
BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON,
Plaintiffs,
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; LORA BYERS;
KIMBERLY VIFINKLE,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
10
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 11 of 42
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
No. 23-1256
KATHRINE THOMAS,
11
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 12 of 42
Plaintiff - Appellant,
and
LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA
CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS;
MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI
CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA
HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY
BORGHESE; JESSICA KIRBY; BRANDEE RITSEMA; BRENDA BLUE;
DANIEL BLUE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON,
Plaintiffs,
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; LORA BYERS; OCERINE
COOPER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
12
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 13 of 42
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
No. 23-1257
TIJANA VIDANOVIC,
Plaintiff - Appellant,
and
LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA
CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS;
MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI
CHAPMAN; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton;
KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY BORGHESE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON;
JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE;
BRANDEE RITSEMA,
Plaintiffs,
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE;
OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
13
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 14 of 42
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
No. 23-1258
14
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 15 of 42
RENESHA TOMLIN,
Plaintiff - Appellant,
and
LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA
CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS;
MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI
CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; KESHIA HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton;
KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY BORGHESE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON;
JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE;
BRANDEE RITSEMA,
Plaintiffs,
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE;
OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
15
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 16 of 42
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
No. 23-1260
SALLY BORGHESE,
Plaintiff - Appellant,
and
LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA
CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS;
MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI
CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA
HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; CHRISTINA
ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE;
DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE RITSEMA,
Plaintiffs,
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE;
OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS,
16
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 17 of 42
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
17
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 18 of 42
No. 23-1261
KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL,
Plaintiff - Appellant,
and
LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA
CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS;
MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI
CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA
HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; SALLY BORGHESE; CHRISTINA
ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE;
DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE RITSEMA,
Plaintiffs,
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE;
OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
18
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 19 of 42
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
No. 23-1264
MALACHI CHAPMAN,
Plaintiff - Appellant,
and
LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA
CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS;
MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; TIJANA
VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton;
KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY BORGHESE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON;
JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE;
BRANDEE RITSEMA,
Plaintiffs,
19
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 20 of 42
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE;
OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
20
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 21 of 42
Defendants - Appellees.
No. 23-1265
KESHIA HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton,
Plaintiff - Appellant,
and
LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA
CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS;
MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI
CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KRISTEN CLARK-
HASSEL; SALLY BORGHESE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY;
KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE
RITSEMA,
Plaintiffs,
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE;
OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
21
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 22 of 42
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
No. 23-1266
BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE,
Plaintiffs - Appellants,
and
LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA
CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS;
MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI
CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA
HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY
BORGHESE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE
THOMAS; BRANDEE RITSEMA,
22
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 23 of 42
Plaintiffs,
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE;
OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
23
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 24 of 42
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
No. 23-1268
CHRISTINA ANDERSON,
Plaintiff - Appellant,
and
LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA
CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS;
MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI
CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA
HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY
BORGHESE; JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE;
DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE RITSEMA,
Plaintiffs,
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE;
OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
24
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 25 of 42
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
No. 23-1269
SARA YBARRA-JOHNSON,
Intervenor/Plaintiff - Appellant,
and
LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA
CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS;
MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI
CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA
25
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 26 of 42
HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY
BORGHESE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE
THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE RITSEMA; ALAN
MEDDOWS,
Plaintiffs,
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE;
OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS; KARLA JOHNSON,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
26
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 27 of 42
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
No. 23-1270
KARLA JOHNSON,
Intervenor/Plaintiff - Appellant,
and
LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA
CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS;
MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI
CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA
HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY
BORGHESE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE
THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE RITSEMA; ALAN
MEDDOWS,
Plaintiffs,
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE;
OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS; SARA YBARRA-JOHNSON,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
27
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 28 of 42
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
No. 23-1271
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS,
Intervenor/Plaintiff - Appellant,
and
28
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 29 of 42
LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA
CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS;
MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI
CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA
HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY
BORGHESE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE
THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE RITSEMA; ALAN
MEDDOWS,
Plaintiffs,
and
AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE; OCERINE COOPER; LORA
BYERS; KARLA JOHNSON; SARA YBARRA-JOHNSON,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
29
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 30 of 42
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
No. 23-1272
ALAN MEDDOWS,
Plaintiff - Appellant,
and
LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA
CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS;
MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI
CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA
HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY
BORGHESE; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE
THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE RITSEMA,
Plaintiffs,
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE;
OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS; KARLA JOHNSON; SARA YBARRA-
JOHNSON,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
30
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 31 of 42
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
No. 23-1273
APRIL FOX,
31
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 32 of 42
Appellant,
and
LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA
CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS;
MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI
CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA
HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY
BORGHESE; ALAN MEDDOWS; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY;
KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE
RITSEMA,
Plaintiffs,
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE;
OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS; KARLA JOHNSON; SARA YBARRA-
JOHNSON,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
32
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 33 of 42
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
No. 23-1283
TERESA GOIN,
Plaintiff - Appellant,
and
LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA
CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS;
MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI
CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA
HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY
BORGHESE; ALAN MEDDOWS; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY;
KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE
RITSEMA,
Plaintiffs,
and
33
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 34 of 42
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE;
OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
34
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 35 of 42
No. 23-1284
GERRI F. HOOD,
Plaintiff - Appellant,
and
LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA
CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS;
MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI
CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA
HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY
BORGHESE; ALAN MEDDOWS; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY;
KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE
RITSEMA,
Plaintiffs,
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE;
OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
35
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 36 of 42
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
No. 23-1285
BARBARA MAST,
Plaintiff - Appellant,
and
LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA
CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS;
MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI
CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA
HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY
BORGHESE; ALAN MEDDOWS; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY;
KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE
RITSEMA,
36
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 37 of 42
Plaintiffs,
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE;
OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
37
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 38 of 42
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
No. 23-1286
LATASHA WOOLRIDGE,
Plaintiff - Appellant,
and
LAURIE REYNOLDS; CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA
CODY; RUSS E. CODY; KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS;
MELODY RODGERS; EMILY O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI
CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC; RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA
HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY
BORGHESE; ALAN MEDDOWS; CHRISTINA ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY;
KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE; DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE
RITSEMA,
Plaintiffs,
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE;
OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
38
USCA4 Appeal: 23-1287 Doc: 16 Filed: 07/27/2023 Pg: 39 of 42
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
No. 23-1287
LAURIE REYNOLDS,
Plaintiff - Appellant,
and
CECELIA EVERTEZ; RAYMOND SIPULT; GLENDA CODY; RUSS E. CODY;
KEONA BRADLEY; ELIZABETH ANDREWS; MELODY RODGERS; EMILY
O’DELL; WILLIAM O’DELL; MALACHI CHAPMAN; TIJANA VIDANOVIC;
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RENESHA TOMLIN; KESHIA HOLLIMAN, a/k/a Keshia Horton; KRISTEN
CLARK-HASSEL; SALLY BORGHESE; ALAN MEDDOWS; CHRISTINA
ANDERSON; JESSICA KIRBY; KATHRINE THOMAS; BRENDA BLUE;
DANIEL BLUE; BRANDEE RITSEMA,
Plaintiffs,
and
BEATRICE RIVERA ADAMS; AUDREY LESSNER; KIMBERLY VIFINKLE;
OCERINE COOPER; LORA BYERS,
Intervenors/Plaintiffs,
v.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; JOE BIDEN, President of the United States
Department; KAMALA D. HARRIS, Vice President of the United States; XAVIER
BECERRA, United States Department of Health and Human Services; MERRICK
B. GARLAND, Attorney General of the United States; JERRY MILNER, Director
of the Children's Bureau for the Administration for Children and Families; DOES,
United States Assistant Secretaries for Administration for Children and Family
Services; GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of California; JERRY BROWN, Former
Governor of California; ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Lieutenant Governor of California;
GREG ABOTT, Governor of Texas; DAN PATRICK, Lieutenant Governor of
Texas; SUSANA MARTINEZ, Former Governor of New Mexico; MICHELLE
LUJAN-GRISHAW, Governor of New Mexico; DOUG DUCEY, Governor of
Arizona; RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida; TOM WOLF, Governor of
Pennsylvania; BRIAN KEMP, Governor of Georgia; BILL LEE, Governor of
Tennessee; MICHAEL DUNLEAVY, Governor of Alaska; KATHLEEN LAURA
KELLY, Governor of Kansas; KATHY HOCHUL, Governor of New York;
GRETCHEN WHITMER, Governor of Michigan; JACKEY LACEY, Governor of
Los Angeles County; ROB BONTA, Attorney General of Los Angeles County; KEN
PAXTON, Attorney General of Texas; JAIMIE MASTERS, Commissioner of the
Department of Family and Child Protective Services; WILLIAM CLARK, President
of Saint Francis Ministries; ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES; KIDS CENTRAL INC.,
a/k/a The Centers Inc.; MARICOPA COUNTY ARIZONA; SEBASTIAN
COUNTY ARKANSAS; SCOTT COUNTY ARKANSAS; LOS ANGELES
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; RIVERSIDE COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MONTEREY
COUNTY CALIFORNIA; MARION COUNTY FLORIDA; MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY FLORIDA; ST. LUCIE COUNTY FLORIDA; CAMDEN COUNTY
GEORGIA; LAURENS COUNTY GEORGIA; HUTCHINSON COUNTY
KANSAS; SEDGWICK COUNTY KANSAS; ST. MARYS COUNTY
40
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MARYLAND; KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN; OAKLAND COUNTY
MICHIGAN; BERNALILLO COUNTY NEW MEXICO; KINGS COUNTY NEW
YORK; MONROE COUNTY NEW YORK; WASHINGTON COUNTY OHIO;
ALLEGHANY COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA; MCLENNAN COUNTY TEXAS;
BELL COUNTY TEXAS; WICHITA COUNTY TEXAS; BLOUNT COUNTY
TENNESSEE,
Defendants - Appellees.
Appeals from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, at
Wilmington. Louise W. Flanagan, District Judge. (7:22-cv-00178-FL)
Submitted: July 25, 2023 Decided: July 27, 2023
Before WYNN and HEYTENS, Circuit Judges, and FLOYD, Senior Circuit Judge.
Dismissed by unpublished per curiam opinion.
Melody Rodgers; Brandee Ritsema; Emily O’Dell; William O’Dell; Jessica Kirby;
Kimberly Vifinkle; Lora Byers; Ocerine Cooper; Kathrine Thomas; Tijana Vidanovic;
Renesha Tomlin; Sally Borghese; Kristen Clark-Hassell; Malachi Chapman; Keshia
Holliman; Brenda Blue; Daniel Blue; Christina Anderson; Sara Elizabeth Ybarra Johnson;
Karla Johnson; Beatrice Rivera; Alan Meddows; April Fox; Teresa Goin; Gerri F. Hood;
Barbara Mast; Latasha Woolridge; Laurie Reynolds, Appellants Pro Se.
Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.
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PER CURIAM:
In these consolidated appeals, Appellants seek to appeal the district court’s orders
dismissing some appellants as plaintiffs, denying others’ motions to intervene as plaintiffs,
and denying reconsideration of those orders. This court may exercise jurisdiction only over
final orders, 28 U.S.C. § 1291, and certain interlocutory and collateral orders, 28 U.S.C.
§ 1292; Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(b); Cohen v. Beneficial Indus. Loan Corp., 337 U.S. 541, 545-
46 (1949). The orders Appellants seek to appeal are neither final orders nor appealable
interlocutory or collateral orders. Accordingly, we dismiss the appeals for lack of
jurisdiction and deny as moot the pending motions for leave to file an amicus curiae brief,
to expedite the decision, and to extend filing time. We dispense with oral argument because
the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court
and argument would not aid the decisional process.
DISMISSED
42