Case: Criswell College v. Sebelius

3:12-cv-04409 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

Filed Date: Feb. 1, 2012

Closed Date: 2013

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On February 1, 2012, Criswell College, a nonprofit evangelical Protestant college located in Dallas, filed a lawsuit in the Northern District of Texas against the Federal Government under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (42 U.S.C. § 2000bb), the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. § 706(2)), the First Amendment, and the Fifth Amendment. Plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, sought to enjoin enforcement of provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) extending universal contracepti…

On February 1, 2012, Criswell College, a nonprofit evangelical Protestant college located in Dallas, filed a lawsuit in the Northern District of Texas against the Federal Government under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (42 U.S.C. § 2000bb), the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. § 706(2)), the First Amendment, and the Fifth Amendment. Plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, sought to enjoin enforcement of provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) extending universal contraception coverage in employer-sponsored private health insurance coverage. Plaintiffs contend that this mandatory contraception coverage violates their sincerely held religious beliefs.

On January 7, 2012, defendant filed a motion to dismiss for want of jurisdiction. On April 9, 2013, the Court granted the defendant's motion to dismiss. The court noted that the government had begun amending the regulations to provide further accommodations for religious employers by publishing an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) in the Federal Register in March 2012. 77 Fed. Reg. 16,501 (Mar. 21, 2012). The ANPRM sought to develop "alternative ways of providing contraceptive coverage without cost sharing in order to accommodate non-exempt, non-profit religious organizations with religious objections to such coverage." And because the government was in the process of addressing the concerns that the college had expressed, the Court concluded that the case is not ripe for judicial consideration. The court dismissed plaintiffs' case without prejudice.

Summary Authors

Wyatt Fore (3/18/2012)

Mallory Jones (2/18/2014)

Richard Jolly (10/22/2014)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12992222/parties/the-criswell-college-v-sebelius/


Judge(s)

Godbey, David C. (Texas)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Mateer, Jeffrey C. (Texas)

McCarty, Darren L. (Texas)

Attorney for Defendant

Humphreys, Bradley Philip (District of Columbia)

Pollack, Michael Charles (District of Columbia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

3:12-cv-04409

Docket [PACER]

April 9, 2013

April 9, 2013

Docket
1

3:12-cv-04409

Complaint

Nov. 1, 2012

Nov. 1, 2012

Complaint
34

3:12-cv-04409

Final Judgment

Criswell College v. Sebelius

April 9, 2013

April 9, 2013

Order/Opinion
33

3:12-cv-04409

Order

April 9, 2013

April 9, 2013

Order/Opinion

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12992222/the-criswell-college-v-sebelius/

Last updated March 19, 2024, 3:13 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT WITH JURY DEMAND against Timothy Geithner, Kathleen Sebelius, Hilda L. Solis, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of the Treasury filed by The Criswell College. (Filing fee $350; Receipt number 0539-4921377) Clerk to issue summons(es) for federal defendant(s). In each Notice of Electronic Filing, the judge assignment is indicated, and a link to the Judges Copy Requirements is provided. The court reminds the filer that any required copy of this and future documents must be delivered to the judge, in the manner prescribed, within three business days of filing. Unless exempted, attorneys who are not admitted to practice in the Northern District of Texas should seek admission promptly. Forms, instructions, and exemption information may be found at www.txnd.uscourts.gov, or by clicking here: Attorney Information - Bar Membership (Attachments: # 1 Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet) (McCarty, Darren) (Entered: 11/01/2012)

Nov. 1, 2012

Nov. 1, 2012

PACER
2

CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PERSONS/DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by The Criswell College. (McCarty, Darren) (Entered: 11/01/2012)

Nov. 1, 2012

Nov. 1, 2012

PACER
3

New Case Notes: A filing fee has been paid. File to Judge Godbey. Pursuant to Misc. Order 6, Plaintiff is provided the Notice of Right to Consent to Proceed Before A U.S. Magistrate Judge (Judge to be determined). Clerk to provide copy to plaintiff if not received electronically. (cea) (Entered: 11/01/2012)

Nov. 1, 2012

Nov. 1, 2012

PACER
4

Summons issued as to Timothy Geithner, Kathleen Sebelius, Hilda L Solis, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of the Treasury, U.S. Attorney, and U.S. Attorney General. (cea) (Entered: 11/01/2012)

Nov. 1, 2012

Nov. 1, 2012

PACER
5

Application for Admission Pro Hac Vice with Cert. of Good Standing for Attorney Paula M Stannard (Filing fee $25; Receipt number 0539-4921677) filed by The Criswell College (Stannard, Paula) (Entered: 11/01/2012)

Nov. 1, 2012

Nov. 1, 2012

PACER
6

ELECTRONIC ORDER granting 5 Application for Admission Pro Hac Vice of Paula M. Stannard. If not already done, Applicant must register as an ECF User within 14 days (LR 5.1(f)). (Ordered by Judge David C Godbey on 11/9/2012) (chmb) (Entered: 11/09/2012)

Nov. 9, 2012

Nov. 9, 2012

PACER
7

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to U.S. Attorney; served on 11/6/2012. (tla) Modified text on 11/28/2012 (jrr). (Entered: 11/13/2012)

Nov. 13, 2012

Nov. 13, 2012

PACER
8

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Kathleen Sebelius ; served on 11/14/2012; United States Department of Health and Human Services ; served on 11/14/2012. (jrr) (Entered: 11/28/2012)

Nov. 28, 2012

Nov. 28, 2012

PACER
9

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Timothy Geithner ; served on 11/19/2012. (jrr) (Entered: 11/28/2012)

Nov. 28, 2012

Nov. 28, 2012

PACER
10

Court Request for Recusal:Magistrate Judge David L. Horan enters his recusal. Magistrate Judge Paul D. Stickney chosen by random selection to handle matters that may be referred in this case (gr) (Entered: 12/11/2012)

Dec. 11, 2012

Dec. 11, 2012

PACER
11

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Kathleen Sebelius (U.S. Attorney General), served on 11/30/2012; Hilda L Solis (U.S. Attorney General), served on 11/30/2012; United States Department of Health and Human Services (U.S. Attorney General), served on 11/30/2012; United States Department of Labor (U.S. Attorney General), served on 11/30/2012. (aaa) Modified text on 1/8/2013 (axm). (Entered: 12/18/2012)

Dec. 17, 2012

Dec. 17, 2012

PACER
12

MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction filed by Timothy Geithner, Kathleen Sebelius, Hilda L Solis, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of the Treasury with Brief/Memorandum in Support. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Exhibit(s) Wheaton College v. Sebelius, # 3 Exhibit(s) Catholic Diocese of Peoria v. Sebelius, # 4 Exhibit(s) University of Notre Dame v. Sebelius, # 5 Exhibit(s) Catholic Diocese of Biloxi v. Sebelius) (Humphreys, Bradley) (Entered: 01/07/2013)

Jan. 7, 2013

Jan. 7, 2013

PACER
13

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to United States Department of Labor ; served on 11/14/2012. (jrr) (Entered: 01/08/2013)

Jan. 7, 2013

Jan. 7, 2013

PACER
14

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to Hilda L Solis ; served on 11/15/2012. (jrr) (Entered: 01/08/2013)

Jan. 7, 2013

Jan. 7, 2013

PACER
15

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to United States Department of the Treasury, served on 11/16/2012; Timothy Geithner (U.S. Attorney General), served on 11/16/2012; United States Department of the Treasury (U.S. Attorney General), served on 11/16/2012. (jrr) (Entered: 01/08/2013)

Jan. 7, 2013

Jan. 7, 2013

PACER
16

ORDER REQUIRING STATUS AND SCHEDULING CONFERENCE: The parties are directed to confer within 14 days of the date of this Order, and report to the Court within 14 days after the conference the parties' position. (Ordered by Judge David C Godbey on 1/9/2013) (axm) (Entered: 01/09/2013)

Jan. 9, 2013

Jan. 9, 2013

PACER
17

NOTICE of Related Case Supplemental Authority re: 12 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction filed by Timothy Geithner, Kathleen Sebelius, Hilda L Solis, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of the Treasury (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) Colorado Christian Univ. v. Sebelius) (Humphreys, Bradley) (Entered: 01/15/2013)

Jan. 15, 2013

Jan. 15, 2013

PACER
18

RESPONSE filed by The Criswell College re: 12 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction (McCarty, Darren) (Entered: 01/28/2013)

Jan. 28, 2013

Jan. 28, 2013

PACER
19

Appendix in Support filed by The Criswell College re 18 Response/Objection to Defendants' Motion to Dismiss and Brief in Support of Plaintiff's Motion to Stay (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) A, 1, 2) (McCarty, Darren) (Entered: 01/28/2013)

Jan. 28, 2013

Jan. 28, 2013

PACER
20

MOTION to Stay re 19 Appendix in Support, 18 Response/Objection to Defendants' Motion to Dismiss and Brief in Support of Plaintiff's Motion to Stay filed by The Criswell College (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (McCarty, Darren) (Entered: 01/28/2013)

Jan. 28, 2013

Jan. 28, 2013

PACER
21

NOTICE of Attorney Appearance by Michael Charles Pollack on behalf of Timothy Geithner, Kathleen Sebelius, Hilda L Solis, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of the Treasury. (Filer confirms contact info in ECF is current.) (Pollack, Michael) (Entered: 01/31/2013)

Jan. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

PACER
22

Joint STATUS REPORT SUBSEQUENT TO RULE 26(f) CONFERENCE filed by Kathleen Sebelius, The Criswell College, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of the Treasury, Seth Harris, Neal Wolin. (Lee, Sang) (Entered: 02/06/2013)

Feb. 6, 2013

Feb. 6, 2013

PACER
23

Unopposed MOTION to Stay Discovery Pending Resolution of Defendants' Motion to Dismiss filed by Seth Harris, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of the Treasury, Neal Wolin with Brief/Memorandum in Support. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) Ave Maria v. Sebelius Order, # 2 Proposed Order) (Pollack, Michael) (Entered: 02/08/2013)

Feb. 8, 2013

Feb. 8, 2013

PACER
24

NOTICE of Related Case as Supplemental Authority re: 18 Response/Objection filed by The Criswell College (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) 1 - Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth v. Sebelius) (Lee, Sang) (Entered: 02/08/2013)

Feb. 8, 2013

Feb. 8, 2013

PACER
25

ORDER granting 23 Motion to Stay Discovery Pending Resolution of Defendants' Motion to Dismiss. (Ordered by Judge David C Godbey on 2/8/2013) (cea) (Entered: 02/08/2013)

Feb. 8, 2013

Feb. 8, 2013

PACER
26

REPLY filed by Seth Harris, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of the Treasury, Neal Wolin re: 12 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) Conlon v. Sebelius) (Pollack, Michael) (Entered: 02/11/2013)

Feb. 11, 2013

Feb. 11, 2013

PACER
27

RESPONSE filed by Seth Harris, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of the Treasury, Neal Wolin re: 20 MOTION to Stay re 19 Appendix in Support, 18 Response/Objection to Defendants' Motion to Dismiss and Brief in Support of Plaintiff's Motion to Stay (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) Conlon v. Sebelius) (Pollack, Michael) (Entered: 02/11/2013)

Feb. 11, 2013

Feb. 11, 2013

PACER
28

REPLY filed by The Criswell College re: 20 MOTION to Stay re 19 Appendix in Support, 18 Response/Objection to Defendants' Motion to Dismiss and Brief in Support of Plaintiff's Motion to Stay (Lee, Sang) (Entered: 02/22/2013)

Feb. 22, 2013

Feb. 22, 2013

PACER
29

NOTICE of Related Case Supplemental Authority re: 12 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction filed by Seth D Harris, Jacob J Lew, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of the Treasury (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) Wenski v. Sebelius) (Pollack, Michael) (Entered: 03/21/2013)

March 21, 2013

March 21, 2013

PACER
30

NOTICE of Related Case Supplemental Authority re: 12 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction filed by Seth D Harris, Jacob J Lew, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of the Treasury (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) EWTN v. Sebelius) (Pollack, Michael) (Entered: 03/28/2013)

March 28, 2013

March 28, 2013

PACER
31

RESPONSE filed by The Criswell College re: 29 Notice (Other), (Lee, Sang) (Entered: 03/29/2013)

March 29, 2013

March 29, 2013

PACER
32

NOTICE of Related Case Supplemental Authority re: 12 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction filed by Seth D Harris, Jacob J Lew, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of the Treasury (Pollack, Michael) (Entered: 04/09/2013)

April 9, 2013

April 9, 2013

PACER
33

ORDER granting 12 Motion to Dismiss. (Ordered by Judge David C Godbey on 4/9/2013) (skt) (Entered: 04/09/2013)

April 9, 2013

April 9, 2013

PACER
34

FINAL JUDGMENT: The Court accordingly orders that Plaintiff The Criswell College take nothing by its claims against Defendants, and the Court dismisses those claims without prejudice. Court costs are taxed against Criswell. (Ordered by Judge David C Godbey on 4/9/2013) (skt) (Entered: 04/09/2013)

April 9, 2013

April 9, 2013

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Texas

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Special Collection(s):

Contraception Insurance Mandate

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Feb. 1, 2012

Closing Date: 2013

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiff is a Christian college operating as a non-profit corporation in Texas with 50 employees.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

United States Department of Health and Human Services (Washington), Federal

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Hospital/Health Department

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Religious Freedom Rest. Act/Religious Land Use and Inst. Persons Act (RFRA/RLUIPA)

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Free Exercise Clause

Establishment Clause

Freedom of speech/association

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Issues

Reproductive rights:

Contraception

General:

Religious programs / policies

Discrimination-basis:

Religion discrimination

Type of Facility:

Non-government non-profit