Case: L.J. v. Massinga

1:84-cv-04409 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Filed Date: Dec. 5, 1984

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This case challenged the actions of twenty-one state and city officials, caseworkers, and supervisors who administered Maryland's federally-funded foster care program in Baltimore City, Maryland. The class action, filed on December 5, 1984, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (Baltimore), alleged that the defendants' administration of the foster program subjected the plaintiffs to physical and sexual abuse as well as medical neglect. They sought broad interim and permanent i…

This case challenged the actions of twenty-one state and city officials, caseworkers, and supervisors who administered Maryland's federally-funded foster care program in Baltimore City, Maryland.

The class action, filed on December 5, 1984, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (Baltimore), alleged that the defendants' administration of the foster program subjected the plaintiffs to physical and sexual abuse as well as medical neglect. They sought broad interim and permanent injunctive relief as well as monetary damages against the state to redress deficiencies in the foster care program, claiming that the state violated the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act, Title IV-E and IV-B of the Social Security Act, the Fourteenth Amendment, and 42 U.S.C. 1983.

The plaintiffs were represented by private counsel and the Public Justice Center. On January 2, 1987, the court certified a class of all current, former, and future children who are, have been, or will be placed in foster homes by the Baltimore City Department of Social Services (BCDSS) and are or will be in BCDSS custody either through voluntary placement or court order. The next month, the plaintiffs filed a motion for a preliminary injunction. In April, the court found overwhelming evidence of systematic deficiencies in Baltimore's foster care system. Specifically, the court found that satisfactory homes were lacking, that the defendants did not remove children away from abusive or neglectful homes, that homes were licensed to foster parents unable to care for the children, that foster children received inadequate medical care, and that the defendants did not make the improvements suggested previously.

The court granted the preliminary injunction on July 27, 1987, in which the defendants were ordered to review the status of each foster home reported for maltreatment, visit each child in BCDSS foster home monthly, visit each child subject to a maltreatment report weekly, ensure appropriate medical care is provided for each child, and provide written copies of any maltreatment complaint of a foster child to the juvenile court as well as the child's attorney.

On February 1, 1988, the Fourth Circuit affirmed the preliminary injunction, holding that foster children in BCDSS custody were entitled to preliminary relief from administration deficiencies in the foster children program, and that city and state officials administrating the state's federally funded foster care program were not immune from damages for failing to protect foster children in foster homes. 838 F. 2d 118.

On April 26, 1988, the parties submitted a settlement agreement embodying the measures from the preliminary injunctive order, as well as new proposals to make substantial improvements to the foster care system. Specifically, it states that the defendants will limit the caseload amount per caseworker, improve the system for providing medical care to foster children, provide assistance to natural parents to avoid foster care when possible, and seek new foster homes. All these improvements were to be made within two years. The court approved the notice for class action settlement to be sent in May. (Attorneys' fees were to be addressed separately from the decree.) The Consent Decree was approved on September 27, 1988, and was later modified in 1991 to extend its protection to children in BCDSS custody who are placed in unlicensed placements with relatives. 699 F.Supp. 508.

For several years, Plaintiffs monitored the decree; however, compliance has been difficult to obtain. On April 13, 2007, the plaintiffs sent a status report to the court regarding failed mediation sessions and the plaintiffs' intent to prepare contempt papers. The defendants responded by sending a letter to the court expressing their disappointment with the plaintiffs' desire to file a motion for contempt. The defendants stated their interest in working together, and that the new Secretary of the Maryland Department of Human Resources, who started working with this case a few months ago, has taken a hands-on approach with the intent to implement the provisions of the decree. Although the defendants would not agree to an expanded court monitor during previous negotiations, the defendant stated their willingness to explore options regarding the use of a monitor with the governor's office and to implement a plan with enforceable benchmarks.

About 7 months later, the plaintiffs filed a petition for an order of enforcement to show cause why the defendants should not be held in contempt of the consent decree, and also a motion to modify the consent decree. The plaintiffs claimed that the defendants violated over 90 provisions of the decree, and requested that the defendants establish a monitor. Alternatively, the plaintiffs stated that, if the defendants did not establish a monitor, the defendants should be required to provide the plaintiffs' counsel with full access to relevant databases and case files.

Negotiations ensued, and the parties agreed to a Modified Consent Decree; the court approved it on October 9, 2009. The decree states that the goal is to provide a safe, nurturing, permanent home for children as quickly as possible, and that family involvement in decision-making is critical.

However, a month later, the defendants appealed to the Fourth Circuit, seeking to vacate the 1988 consent decree and deny the entry of the modified decree on the basis of Horne v. Flores (129 S. Ct. 2579 (2009), a then-recent Supreme Court ruling regarding the application of Rule 60(b)(5). On January 26, 2011, the Fourth Circuit denied the appeal and affirmed the Court's orders approving and entering the MCD. 633 F.3d 297.

Plaintiffs' contempt motion from 2007 was still pending, but in January 2012, the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed that motion. Compliance reports were still being filed every six months as of March 2012, but that is so far the final such report.

The parties continued to submit status reports to the court in accordance with the Modified Consent Decree. On December 20, 2023, the case was reassigned to Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher. On July 23, 2024, the defendants filed a motion to substitute the current named defendant and update the docket, which the court granted. The parties continued to negotiate modifications to the decree. The last status report was filed on November 27, 2024, when Judge Gallagher approved the parties’ proposed plan to modify the Modified Consent Decree. The judge urged the parties to prioritize in-person meetings over written proposals going forward. The case remains ongoing.

Summary Authors

Alice Liu (12/9/2012)

Colton French (4/10/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/8786717/parties/lj-v-baltimore-city-department-of-social-services/

Judge(s)

Blake, Catherine C. (Maryland)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Attorney for Defendant

Beller, David E (Maryland)

Bernhardt, Julia Doyle (Maryland)

Dalin, Barry (Maryland)

Doyle, Julia (Maryland)

Judge(s)

Blake, Catherine C. (Maryland)

Duncan, Allyson Kay (North Carolina)

Gallagher, Stephanie A. (Maryland)

Hollander, Ellen Lipton (Maryland)

King, James Lawrence (Florida)

Motz, J. Frederick (Maryland)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Franklin, Stephanie Suzanne (Maryland)

Gardner, Debra (Maryland)

Lipkin, Rhonda B (Maryland)

Mirviss, Mitchell Y (Maryland)

Posner, Gary Steven (Maryland)

Attorney for Defendant

Beller, David E (Maryland)

Bernhardt, Julia Doyle (Maryland)

Dalin, Barry (Maryland)

Doyle, Julia (Maryland)

Gordon, Millicent D Edwards (Maryland)

Howard, John Burnside Jr. (Maryland)

Jr, John Burnside (Maryland)

Peisch, Philip (Maryland)

Sheridan, Ann Marie (Maryland)

Shultz, Catherine M. (Maryland)

Smith, Carol A. (Maryland)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1:84-cv-04409	Docket [PACER]	March 27, 2012	March 27, 2012 Docket
87-02156	Opinion U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit	Feb. 1, 1988	Feb. 1, 1988 Order/Opinion 838 F.2d 118
1:84-cv-04409	Memorandum	Sept. 27, 1988	Sept. 27, 1988 Order/Opinion 699 F.Supp. 508
447 1:84-cv-04409	Re: L.J., et al. v. Massinga, et al. Civil Action No. JFM-84-4409	April 13, 2007	April 13, 2007 Correspondence
448 1:84-cv-04409	Correspondence	April 13, 2007	April 13, 2007 Correspondence
477 1:84-cv-04409	Plaintiffs' Petition for Orders of Enforcement and to show cause why defendants should not be held in contempt of consent decree, and motions to modify consent decree and monitoring order	Nov. 5, 2007	Nov. 5, 2007 Pleading / Motion / Brief
556 1:84-cv-04409	Memorandum In Support Of Join Motion For Preliminary Approval Of Modified Consent Decree, For An Order Of Proposed Modified Consent Decree And Scheduling Of A Fairness Hearing, And For Final Approval Of Modified Consent Decree L.J. v. Dallas	June 22, 2009	June 22, 2009 Order/Opinion
556-1 1:84-cv-04409	Modified Consent Decree L.J. v. Dallas	June 22, 2009	June 22, 2009 Order/Opinion
556-2 1:84-cv-04409	Circular Letter SSA L.J. v. Dallas	June 22, 2009	June 22, 2009 Internal memorandum
586 1:84-cv-04409	Modified Consent Decree	Oct. 9, 2009	Oct. 9, 2009 Order/Opinion

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/8786717/lj-v-baltimore-city-department-of-social-services/

Last updated June 1, 2026, 9:09 p.m.

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
330	Nov. 30, 1998	PROTECTIVE ORDER and "APPROVAL". ( signed by Chf Judge J. F. Motz ) (c/m 12/1/98-cag) (cag, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 12/07/1998)	RECAP
	Nov. 30, 1998	FOR PLEADINGS 1 THRU 329 SEE HARD DOCKET (cag, Deputy Clerk)
331	Jan. 4, 1999	PROTECTIVE ORDER to permit certain children's names and other confidential and identifying information ( signed by Chf Judge J. F. Motz ) (c/m 1/4/99-cag) (cag, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 01/04/1999)	RECAP
332	Jan. 4, 1999	ORDER "STRIKING" the Appearances of Joan Little and the Legal Aid Bureau, Inc. as class counsel. ( signed by Chf Judge J. F. Motz 1/4/99 ) (c/m 1/4/99-cag) (cag, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 01/04/1999)	RECAP
333	Feb. 8, 1999	TWENTY-FIRST SIX-MONTH COMPLIANCE REPORT by Defendants. (c/s Judge Motz) (cag, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 02/09/1999)	RECAP
334	Aug. 5, 1999	DEFENDANTS' TWENTY-SECOND SIX-MONTH COMPLIANCE REPORT (c/s J. Motz) (cag, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 08/06/1999)	RECAP
335	Feb. 8, 2000	DEFENDANTS' TWENTY-THIRD SIX-MONTH COMPLIANCE REPORT (c/m J Motz) (jnl, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 02/08/2000)	RECAP
336	Aug. 11, 2000	Defendants twenty-fourth six-month compliance report, and attachments. (c/s JFM) (das, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 08/11/2000)	RECAP
337	Feb. 7, 2001	DEFENDANTS' Twenty-Fifth Six-Month Compliance Report (c/s) (eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 02/08/2001)	RECAP
338	Aug. 6, 2001	Twenty-Sixth Six-Month Compliance REPORT by defendants and attachments (c/s Chf Judge Motz) (eg, Deputy Clerk) Modified on 08/06/2001 (Entered: 08/06/2001)	RECAP
339	Feb. 5, 2002	TWENTY-SEVENTH SIX-MONTH COMPLIANCE REPORT by defendants and attachments (c/s Chf. Judge Smalkin) (eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 02/06/2002)	RECAP
340	July 30, 2002	RESPONSE by Plaintiffs' to [339-1] Twenty-Seventh Six-Month Compliance Report and Exhibit 1 by defendants' (c/s) (eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 07/31/2002)	RECAP
341	Aug. 6, 2002	Defendants' Twenty-Eight Six-Month Compliance REPORT and attachments (c/s) (eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 08/06/2002)	RECAP
342	Sept. 10, 2002	JOINT STIPULATION AND ORDER for Extension of Time for plaintiffs' filing of response to defendants' Twenty-Eight Six-Month Compliance Report to allow defendants the opportunity to review and comment upon a draft of plaintiffs' response. (signed by Chief Judge Frederic N. Smalkin 9/9/02) (c/m 9/10/02 eg) (eg, Deputy Clerk) Modified on 09/10/2002 (Entered: 09/10/2002)	RECAP
343	Oct. 15, 2002	NOTICE of attorney appearance by Millicent Edwards Gordon as counsel for defendants (c/s Chf Judge Smalkin) (eg, Deputy Clerk) Modified on 02/12/2003 (Entered: 10/15/2002)	RECAP
344	Nov. 1, 2002	RESPONSE by L.J to [341-1] defendants' twenty-eight six-month compliance report and Exhbits 1 and 2 (c/s Chf Judge Smalkin) (FILED SEPARATELY) (eg, Deputy Clerk) Modified on 02/12/2003 (Entered: 11/01/2002)	RECAP
345	Feb. 5, 2003	TWENTY-NINTH SIX-MONTH COMPLIANCE REPORT by defendants' Social Services, Human Resources and attachments (c/s) (eg, Deputy Clerk) Modified on 02/12/2003 Modified on 11/12/2003 (eg, Deputy Clerk). (Entered: 02/06/2003)	RECAP
346	March 10, 2003	JOINT STIPULATION to Extension of Time for the filing of plaintiffs' response to defendants' Twenty-Ninth Six-Month Compliance Report by Baltimore City Department of Social Services, L.J, Maryland Department of Human Resources, Ruth Massinga. (eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/11/2003)	RECAP
347	March 10, 2003	MARGINAL ORDER granting 346 Joint Stipulation of the parties for Extension of Time for plaintiff to file a response to defendans' Twenty-Ninth Six-Month Compliance Report. Signed by Judge Benson E Legg on 3/6/03. (SEE DOCKET ENTRY #346) (c/m chambers 3/10/03) (eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/11/2003)	RECAP
348	Aug. 5, 2003	STATUS REPORT Thirtieth Compliance Report by Baltimore City Department of Social Services, Maryland Department of Human Resources, Ruth Massinga. (Shultz, Catherine) (Entered: 08/05/2003)	RECAP
349	Aug. 5, 2003	Correspondence re: Lengthy Exhibits (Shultz, Catherine) (Entered: 08/05/2003)	RECAP
350	Sept. 5, 2003	Joint MOTION for Extension of Time by L.J. Responses due by 9/22/2003 (Mirviss, Mitchell) (Entered: 09/05/2003)	RECAP
351	Sept. 5, 2003	STIPULATION for Extension of Time by Baltimore City Department of Social Services, L.J, Maryland Department of Human Resources, Ruth Massinga. (Mirviss, Mitchell) (Entered: 09/05/2003)	RECAP
352	Nov. 7, 2003	RESPONSE re 345 Defendants' Twenty-Ninth Six-Month Compliance Report filed by L.J, and attachment 1 (c/s) (eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 11/12/2003)	RECAP
353	Feb. 5, 2004	Joint MOTION for Extension of Time to File Defendants' Thirty-First Six-Month Compliance Report by Ruth Massinga. Responses due by 2/23/2004 (Shultz, Catherine) (Entered: 02/05/2004)	RECAP
354	Feb. 20, 2004	STATUS REPORT Addendum to 30th Compliance Report by Baltimore City Department of Social Services, Maryland Department of Human Resources, Ruth Massinga. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit # 2 Exhibit # 3 Exhibit # 4 Exhibit # 5 Exhibit # 6 Exhibit # 7 Exhibit # 8 Exhibit # 9 Exhibit)(Shultz, Catherine) (Entered: 02/20/2004) 1 Exhibit View on PACER 2 Exhibit View on PACER 3 Exhibit View on PACER 4 Exhibit View on PACER 5 Exhibit View on PACER 6 Exhibit View on PACER 7 Exhibit View on PACER 8 Exhibit View on PACER 9 Exhibit View on PACER	RECAP
355	March 2, 2004	PLAINTIFFS' RESPONSE re 354 Defendants' Thirtieth Six-Month Compliance Report (FILED SEPARATELY)(c/s)(eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/02/2004)	RECAP
356	March 2, 2004	ERRATA SHEET TO JOINT STIPULATION filed by plaintiffs (c/s) (eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/02/2004)	RECAP
357	March 5, 2004	STATUS REPORT by Maryland Department of Human Resources, Ruth Massinga. (Attachments: # 1 Thirty-First Six-Month Compliance Report# 2 Attachments A through D)(Shultz, Catherine) (Entered: 03/05/2004)	RECAP
358	April 9, 2004	JOINT STIPULATION TO Extend Time and APPROVAL. Signed by Judge J. Frederick Motz on 4/9/04. (c/m)(eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 04/09/2004)	RECAP
359	July 16, 2004	JOINT STIPULATION TO EXTENSION OF TIME AND ORDER APPROVING. Signed by Judge J. Frederick Motz on 7/16/04. (c/m 7/16/04)(eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 07/16/2004)	RECAP
360	July 28, 2004	RESPONSE re 357 Defendant's Thirty-First-Six-Month Compliance Report filed by plaintiffs L.J, et al.. (c/s Judge Motz)(eg, Deputy Clerk) (FILED SEPARATELY) (Entered: 07/28/2004)	RECAP
361	Aug. 5, 2004	STATUS REPORT Defendants' Thirty-Second Six-Month Compliance Report by Maryland Department of Human Resources. (Attachments: # 1 Appendix Appendix E Cases# 2 Exhibit Court Report August 2004# 3 Exhibit Family Preservation# 4 Exhibit Foster Home Payment# 5 Exhibit Foster Care Continuing# 6 Exhibit Foster Care New Entries# 7 Exhibit Training)(Shultz, Catherine) Modified on 8/6/2004 (eg, Deputy Clerk). (FILED SEPARATELY) (Entered: 08/05/2004) 1 Appendix Appendix E Cases View on PACER 2 Exhibit Court Report August 2004 View on PACER 3 Exhibit Family Preservation View on PACER 4 Exhibit Foster Home Payment View on PACER 5 Exhibit Foster Care Continuing View on PACER 6 Exhibit Foster Care New Entries View on PACER 7 Exhibit Training View on PACER	RECAP
362	Sept. 3, 2004	JOINT STIPULATION TO EXTENSION OF TIME AND ORDER APPROVING. Signed by Judge J. Frederick Motz on 9/3/04. (eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 09/03/2004)	RECAP
	Sept. 3, 2004	Case reassigned to Judge J. Frederick Motz (cag, Deputy Clerk)
363	Sept. 7, 2004	MOTION to Amend/Correct 361 Status Report, by Maryland Department of Human Resources. Responses due by 9/24/2004 (Attachments: # 1)(Shultz, Catherine) Modified on 9/8/2004 (eg, Deputy Clerk). (FILED IN ERROR) (Entered: 09/07/2004)	RECAP
364	Sept. 8, 2004	DEFENDANTS' CORRECTION TO THIRTY-SECOND SIX-MONTH COMPLIANCE REPORT by Baltimore City Department of Social Services, Maryland Department of Human Resources, Ruth Massinga. (c/s) (eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 09/08/2004)	RECAP
365	Sept. 8, 2004	STATUS REPORT Correction to 32nd Status Report and replacement to filing yesterday (361) by Maryland Department of Human Resources. (Attachments: # 1 Errata Correction to Page Two of the 32nd Status Report# 2 Errata Correction to Page 17 of the 32nd Status Report)(Shultz, Catherine) (Entered: 09/08/2004) 1 Errata Correction to Page Two of the 32nd Status Report View on PACER 2 Errata Correction to Page 17 of the 32nd Status Report View on PACER	RECAP
	Sept. 8, 2004	The link to Document #363 has been reset so that non-court users may not access it and the docket text has been modified to indicate that it was filed in error. (eg, Deputy Clerk)
366	Dec. 10, 2004	JOINT STIPULATION AND ORDER EXTENDING time for filing of Plaintiff's Response to Defendant's Thirty-Second Six-Month Compliance Report to 1/18/05 and for the filing of Defendant's Thirty-Third Six-Month Compliance Report extended to 2/18/05. Signed by Judge J. Frederick Motz on 12/10/04. (eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 12/13/2004)	RECAP
367	Jan. 18, 2005	RESPONSE re 365 Defendants' Thirty-Second Six Month Compliance Report filed by L.J. (FILED SEPARATELY) (eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 01/18/2005)	RECAP
368	Jan. 19, 2005	Supplemental to 367 Response to Defendants' Thirty-Second Six-Month Compliance Report filed by L.J. (c/s)(eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 01/19/2005)	RECAP
369	Feb. 18, 2005	Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File 33rd Six-Month Compliance Report by Maryland Department of Human Resources. Responses due by 3/7/2005 (Shultz, Catherine) (Entered: 02/18/2005)	RECAP
370	Feb. 22, 2005	PLAINTIFFS' FIRST PETITION for Interim Award of Post-Judgment for Attorney Fees and Expenses, Memorandum and Exhibits by L.J. (EXHIBITS FILED SEPARATELY)(c/s 2/22/05) (eg, Deputy Clerk) Modified on 2/22/2005 (eg, Deputy Clerk). (Entered: 02/22/2005)	RECAP
371	Feb. 22, 2005	DEFENDANTS' THIRTY-THIRD SIX MONTH COMPLIANCE REPORT by Ruth Massinga, Baltimore City Department of Social Services, Maryland Department of Human Resources. (c/s) (FILED SEPARATELY) (eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 02/22/2005)	RECAP
372	March 3, 2005	Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply to the Plaintiffs' Petition for Award of Attorney's Fees and Expenses by Maryland Department of Human Resources. Responses due by 3/21/2005 (Shultz, Catherine) (Entered: 03/03/2005)	RECAP
373	March 4, 2005	Paperless ORDER granting re 372 Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply to the Plaintiffs' Petition for Award of Attorney's Fees and Expenses filed by Maryland Department of Human Resources. Signed by Judge J. Frederick Motz on 3/4/05. (Motz, J.) (Entered: 03/04/2005)	RECAP
374	March 23, 2005	ERRATA SHEET to Memorandum in support of plaintiff's 370 First Petition for Interim Award of Post-Judgment Attorney's Fees and Expense filed by L.J. (c/s) (eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/23/2005)	RECAP
375	March 23, 2005	JOINT STIPULATION and MARGINAL ORDER APPROVING Extension of Time for the filing of Plaintiffs' Response to Defendants' Thirty-Third Six-Month Compliance Report to 6/15/05. Signed by Judge J. Frederick Motz on 3/23/05. (c/m 3/24/05 eg) (eg, Deputy Clerk) Modified on 3/24/2005 (eg, Deputy Clerk). (Entered: 03/24/2005)	RECAP
376	April 1, 2005	Joint MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 370 MOTION for Attorney Fees by Maryland Department of Human Resources. Responses due by 4/18/2005 (Shultz, Catherine) (Entered: 04/01/2005)	RECAP
377	April 4, 2005	Paperless ORDER granting re 376 Joint MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 370 MOTION for Attorney Fees filed by Maryland Department of Human Resources,. Signed by Judge J. Frederick Motz on 4/4/05. (Motz, J.) (Entered: 04/04/2005)	RECAP
378	April 8, 2005	DEFENDANTS' Opposition and Attachments to 370 Plaintiffs' First Interim Post-Judgment Petition for Awar of Attorneys' Fees and Expenses filed by Ruth Massinga, Baltimore City Department of Social Services, Maryland Department of Human Resources. (c/s) (eg, Deputy Clerk) Modified on 4/11/2005 (eg, Deputy Clerk). (ATTACHMENTS FILED SEPARATELY) (Entered: 04/11/2005)	RECAP
379	April 22, 2005	JOINT STIPULATION to Stay Proceedings on Plaintiffs' First Petition for Interim Award of Post-Justment Attorney's Fees and Expenses and to Toll the Time for Plaintiffs' Reply to Defendants' Opposition, by L.J. (c/s mcb, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 04/22/2005)	RECAP
380	April 25, 2005	Correspondence requesting a status report. (Motz, J.) (Entered: 04/25/2005)	RECAP
381	April 25, 2005	PAPERLESS ORDER APPROVING re 379 Joint Stipulation, filed by L.J,. Per Judge J. Frederick Motz on 4/25/05. (eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 04/25/2005)	RECAP
382	July 18, 2005	Request for Status Report. Status Report due by 8/2/2005. (Motz, J.) (Entered: 07/18/2005)	RECAP
383	July 27, 2005	STATUS REPORT Joint Status Report of Plaintiffs and Defendants by Ruth Massinga, Baltimore City Department of Social Services, Maryland Department of Human Resources, L.J. (Shultz, Catherine) (Entered: 07/27/2005)	RECAP
384	Aug. 1, 2005	Correspondence setting scheduling conference. (Motz, J.) (Entered: 08/01/2005)	RECAP
385	Aug. 2, 2005	STIPULATION Joint Stipulation to Extend Time by Ruth Massinga, Baltimore City Department of Social Services, Maryland Department of Human Resources, L.J. (Shultz, Catherine) (Entered: 08/02/2005)	RECAP
386	Aug. 2, 2005	Supplemental to Second Errata to Defendants' Opposition to Plaintiffs' First Interim Post-Judgment Petition for Award of Attorneys' Fees and Expenses. (Attachments: # 1 Errata Substituted Page 2# 2 Exhibit Attachment B-1# 3 Exhibit Attachment B-2)(Shultz, Catherine) (Entered: 08/02/2005) 1 Errata Substituted Page 2 View on PACER 2 Exhibit Attachment B-1 View on PACER 3 Exhibit Attachment B-2 View on PACER	RECAP
387	Aug. 3, 2005	Paperless ORDER granting re 385 Stipulation for extension of time filed by Maryland Department of Human Resources, Baltimore City Department of Social Services, Ruth Massinga, L.J. Signed by Judge J. Frederick Motz on 8/3/05. (Motz, J.) (Entered: 08/03/2005)	RECAP
388	Aug. 5, 2005	NOTICE of Appearance by Rhonda B Lipkin on behalf of L.J (Lipkin, Rhonda) (Entered: 08/05/2005)	RECAP
389	Aug. 12, 2005	STATUS REPORT Defendants' Thirty-Fourth Six-Month Compliance Report by Ruth Massinga, Baltimore City Department of Social Services, Maryland Department of Human Resources. (Attachments: # 1 Defendants' Thirty-Fourth Six-Month Compliance Report)(Shultz, Catherine) (Entered: 08/12/2005) 1 Defendants' Thirty-Fourth Six-Month Compliance Report View on PACER	RECAP
390	Aug. 17, 2005	Correspondence confirming matters discussed during the conference held on August 15, 2005. (Motz, J.) (Entered: 08/17/2005)	RECAP
391	Sept. 8, 2005	REQUEST for Extension of Time to File Report on Discussions on Attorney Fees and Access to Information (Lipkin, Rhonda) (Entered: 09/08/2005)	RECAP
392	Sept. 12, 2005	Paperless ORDER approving re 391 Request for Extension of Time to File filed by L.J. Signed by Judge J. Frederick Motz on 9/12/05. (Motz, J.) (Entered: 09/12/2005)	RECAP
393	Oct. 11, 2005	STIPULATION Joint Stipulation to Extend Time for Plaintiffs' Filing of Response to 33rd and 34th Compliance Reports by Ruth Massinga, Baltimore City Department of Social Services, Maryland Department of Human Resources, L.J. (Shultz, Catherine) (Entered: 10/11/2005)	RECAP
394	Oct. 11, 2005	Paperless ORDER granting re 393 Stipulation to extend time filed by Maryland Department of Human Resources, Baltimore City Department of Social Services, Ruth Massinga. Signed by Judge J. Frederick Motz on 10/11/05. (Motz, J.) (Entered: 10/11/2005)	RECAP
395	Oct. 12, 2005	Second REQUEST for Extension of Time to File Status Report on Fee/Access to Information Negotiations (Lipkin, Rhonda) (Entered: 10/12/2005)	RECAP
396	Oct. 14, 2005	Paperless ORDER granting re 395 Request for Extension of Time to File filed by L.J. Signed by Judge J. Frederick Motz on 10/14/05. (Motz, J.) (Entered: 10/14/2005)	RECAP
397	Oct. 28, 2005	Joint MOTION for Protective Order by Ruth Massinga, Baltimore City Department of Social Services, Maryland Department of Human Resources, L.J. Responses due by 11/14/2005 (Shultz, Catherine) (Entered: 10/28/2005)	RECAP
398	Oct. 31, 2005	PAPERLESS ORDER APPROVING 397 Joint Motion for Protective Order. Per by Judge J. Frederick Motz on 10/31/05. (eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 10/31/2005)	RECAP
399	Nov. 10, 2005	Joint Request for Conference (Shultz, Catherine) (Entered: 11/10/2005)	RECAP
400	Nov. 14, 2005	Correspondence setting conference. (Motz, J.) (Entered: 11/14/2005)	RECAP
401	Dec. 12, 2005	PLAINTIFFS' RESPONSE to Defendants' Thirty-Third and Thirty-Fourth Six-Month Compliance Reports and Attachments 1 through 53 filed by L.J. (c/s) (rec'd 12/12/05 in paper-format)(FILED SEPARATELY) (eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 12/12/2005)	RECAP
402	Dec. 12, 2005	Status Report Submitted by L.J (Lipkin, Rhonda) (Entered: 12/12/2005)	RECAP
403	Dec. 23, 2005	MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction by L.J. Responses due by 1/9/2006 (Attachments: # 1 # 2 # 3)(Mirviss, Mitchell) (Entered: 12/23/2005)	RECAP
404	Dec. 28, 2005	REQUEST for Extension of Time to File Update on Information/Fees Negotiations (Lipkin, Rhonda) (Entered: 12/28/2005)	RECAP
405	Dec. 29, 2005	PAPERLESS ORDER APPROVING re 404 Request for Extension of Time to File. Report due 1/10/06. Signed by Judge J. Frederick Motz on 12/29/05. (Motz, J.) (Entered: 12/29/2005)	RECAP
406	Jan. 6, 2006	Correspondence re: Consent Order Concerning Plaintiffs' Counsel's Tours of the Gay Street Office of The Baltimore City Department of Social Services (Mirviss, Mitchell) (Entered: 01/06/2006)	RECAP
407	Jan. 9, 2006	PAPERLESS ORDER APPROVING 406 Consent Order which resolves 403 Motion for TRO. Per Judge J. Frederick Motz on 1/6/06. (eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 01/09/2006)	RECAP
408	Jan. 10, 2006	Status Report Submitted on Negotiations re Information Access and Fees by L.J (Lipkin, Rhonda) (Entered: 01/10/2006)	RECAP
409	Jan. 10, 2006	Status Report Submitted by Baltimore City Department of Social Services, Maryland Department of Human Resources (Shultz, Catherine) (Entered: 01/10/2006)	RECAP
410	Jan. 11, 2006	ERRATA SHEET to Plaintiffs' RESPONSE and CORRECTED VERSION to Defendants' Thirty-Third and Thirty-Fourth Six Month Compliance Reports filed by L.J. (FILED SEPARATELY) (c/s)(eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 01/11/2006)	RECAP
411	Jan. 12, 2006	Correspondence re: Withdrawal of Request for Establishment of Fee Mechanism (Lipkin, Rhonda) (Entered: 01/12/2006)	RECAP
412	Feb. 6, 2006	Joint MOTION for Extension of Time for Filing Defendants' Thirty-Fifth Six-Month Compliance Report by Ruth Massinga, Baltimore City Department of Social Services, Maryland Department of Human Resources, L.J. Responses due by 2/23/2006 (Shultz, Catherine) (Entered: 02/06/2006)	RECAP
413	Feb. 6, 2006	Paperless ORDER granting 412 Motion for Extension of Time. Signed by Judge J. Frederick Motz on 2/6/06. (Motz, J.) (Entered: 02/06/2006)	RECAP
414	Feb. 7, 2006	STATUS REPORT Defendants' Thirty-Fifth Six-Month Compliance Report by Baltimore City Department of Social Services, Maryland Department of Human Resources. (Attachments: # 1 Consent Decree Report)(Shultz, Catherine) (Entered: 02/07/2006) 1 Consent Decree Report View on PACER	RECAP
415	Feb. 14, 2006	ERRATA SHEET and SECOND CORRECTED VERSION of Plaintiffs' RESPONSE to Defendants' Thirty-Third and Thirty-Fourth Six-Month Compliance Reports and SECOND CORRECTED VERSION filed by L.J. (c/s) (FILED SEPARATELY)(eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 02/15/2006)	RECAP
416	March 9, 2006	JOINT STIPULATION to Extension of Time for filing Plaintiffs' Response to Defendants' Thirty-Fifth Six-Month Compliance Report by Ruth Massinga, et al. and L.J., et al. (eg, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 03/09/2006) 1 Joint Stipulation to Extension of time View on PACER	RECAP
417	March 10, 2006	Paperless ORDER granting re 416 Stipulation filed by Maryland Department of Human Resources, Baltimore City Department of Social Services, Ruth Massinga, L.J. Signed by Judge J. Frederick Motz on 3/10/06. (Motz, J.) (Entered: 03/10/2006)	RECAP
418	May 22, 2006	STIPULATION Joint Stipulation to Extension of Time by Ruth Massinga, Baltimore City Department of Social Services, Maryland Department of Human Resources, L.J. (Mirviss, Mitchell) (Entered: 05/22/2006)	RECAP
419	May 22, 2006	Paperless ORDER granting re 418 Stipulation to extension of time filed by Maryland Department of Human Resources, et al. Signed by Judge J. Frederick Motz on 5/22/06. (Motz, J.) (Entered: 05/22/2006)	RECAP
420	July 8, 2006	Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response to 35th & 36th Reports by L.J. Responses due by 7/25/2006 (Lipkin, Rhonda) (Entered: 07/08/2006)	RECAP
421	July 8, 2006	Consent MOTION for Other Relief to Omit June, July & August Monthly Meetings with Monitor by L.J. Responses due by 7/25/2006 (Lipkin, Rhonda) (Entered: 07/08/2006)	RECAP
422	July 10, 2006	Paperless ORDER granting request made in re 420 Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response to 35th & 36th Reports filed by L.J. Signed by Judge J. Frederick Motz on 7/10/06. (Motz, J.) (Entered: 07/10/2006)	RECAP
423	July 10, 2006	Paperless ORDER granting request made in re 421 Consent MOTION for Other Relief to Omit June, July & August Monthly Meetings with Monitor filed by L.J. Signed by Judge J. Frederick Motz on 7/10/06. (Motz, J.) (Entered: 07/10/2006)	RECAP
424	July 31, 2006	Correspondence re: Notice to the Court (Shultz, Catherine) (Entered: 07/31/2006)	RECAP
425	Aug. 7, 2006	STATUS REPORT Defendants' Thirty-Sixth Six-Month Compliance Report by Baltimore City Department of Social Services, Maryland Department of Human Resources. (Attachments: # 1)(Shultz, Catherine) (Entered: 08/07/2006)	RECAP
426	Aug. 8, 2006	STATUS REPORT Errata to Defendants' Thirty-Sixth Six-Month Compliance Report by Baltimore City Department of Social Services, Maryland Department of Human Resources. (Shultz, Catherine) (Entered: 08/08/2006)	RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Maryland

Case Type(s):

Child Welfare

Healthcare Access and Reproductive Issues

Key Dates

Filing Date: Dec. 5, 1984

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

All children who are, have been, or will be placed in foster home by the Baltimore City Department of Social Services (BCDSS) and are or will be in BCDSS custody either through voluntary placement or court order.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

State

Baltimore City Department of Social Services

Maryland Department of Human Resources

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide