Case: Church of Compassion v. Bonta

3:23-cv-00470 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California

Filed Date: March 15, 2023

Closed Date: Jan. 17, 2024

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Case Summary

(This summary is temporary while we research the case.) This case concerns policies issued by the State of California Department of Social Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Church of Compassion filed suit against the Director of the California Department of Social Services, the Chief of the Child and Adult Care Food Programs, the Acting Chief of the Child and Adult Care Food Programs, and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. Plaintiff alleged that they were denied the opportunity to participate in the Child and Adult Food Care Program in violation of the Free Exercise, Free Speech, Free Association, and Establishment Clauses of the U.S. Constitution and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and Administrative Procedure Act. 

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67015655/parties/church-of-compassion-v-bonta/


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Documents in the Clearinghouse

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67015655/church-of-compassion-v-bonta/

Last updated Aug. 8, 2025, 1:36 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT Against Rob Bonta, Kim Johnson, Jessie Rosales, Sean Hardin (Filing fee $402.00 receipt number ACASDC-17668330.), filed by Church of Compassion, Dayspring Christian Learning Center. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)The new case number is 3:23-cv-470-AGS-WVG. Judge Andrew G. Schopler and Magistrate Judge William V. Gallo are assigned to the case. (Broyles, Dean)(mjw)(jrd) (Entered: 03/15/2023)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

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March 15, 2023

March 15, 2023

RECAP
2

Summons Issued. Counsel receiving this notice electronically should print this summons and serve it in accordance with Rule 4, Fed.R.Civ.P and LR 4.1. (mjw)(jrd) (Entered: 03/15/2023)

March 15, 2023

March 15, 2023

PACER
3

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed by Church of Compassion, Dayspring Christian Learning Center, as to Jessie Rosales. (Gondeiro, Mariah) QC mailer sent instructing attorney flatten PDF documents (jms). (Entered: 04/19/2023)

April 19, 2023

April 19, 2023

PACER
4

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed by Church of Compassion, Dayspring Christian Learning Center, as to Kim Johnson. (Gondeiro, Mariah) (jms). (Entered: 04/19/2023)

April 19, 2023

April 19, 2023

PACER
5

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed by Church of Compassion, Dayspring Christian Learning Center, as to Sean Hardin. (Gondeiro, Mariah) (jms). (Entered: 04/19/2023)

April 19, 2023

April 19, 2023

PACER
6

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed by Church of Compassion, Dayspring Christian Learning Center, as to Rob Bonta. (Gondeiro, Mariah)(jms). (Entered: 04/19/2023)

April 19, 2023

April 19, 2023

PACER
7

Request to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee received: $ 213 receipt number ACASDC-17873937.) (Application to be reviewed by Clerk.) (Galus, Jeremiah) (Entered: 05/24/2023)

May 24, 2023

May 24, 2023

PACER
8

Request to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee received: $ 213 receipt number ACASDC-17873968.) (Application to be reviewed by Clerk.) (Tucker, Ryan) (Entered: 05/24/2023)

May 24, 2023

May 24, 2023

PACER
9

Request to Appear Pro Hac Vice, No payment Submitted. (Application to be reviewed by Clerk.) (Tucker, Ryan) (Entered: 05/24/2023)

May 24, 2023

May 24, 2023

PACER
10

Request to Appear Pro Hac Vice, No payment Submitted. (Application to be reviewed by Clerk.) (Galus, Jeremiah) (Entered: 05/24/2023)

May 24, 2023

May 24, 2023

PACER
11

Request to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee received: $ 213 receipt number ACASDC-17874236.) (Application to be reviewed by Clerk.) (Cortman, David) (Entered: 05/24/2023)

May 24, 2023

May 24, 2023

PACER
12

PRO HAC APPROVED: David A Cortman, Jeremiah Galus, Ryan Jeffrey Tucker appearing for Plaintiffs Church of Compassion, Dayspring Christian Learning Center (no document attached) (jrm) (Entered: 05/25/2023)

May 25, 2023

May 25, 2023

PACER

Pro Hac Vice Approved - Clerk

May 25, 2023

May 25, 2023

PACER
13

Request to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee received: $ 213 receipt number ACASDC-17896082.) (Application to be reviewed by Clerk.) (Blake, Julie) (rmc). (Entered: 06/01/2023)

June 1, 2023

June 1, 2023

PACER
14

Request to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee received: $ 213 receipt number ACASDC-17896121.) (Application to be reviewed by Clerk.) (Dill, Andrea) (rmc). (Entered: 06/01/2023)

June 1, 2023

June 1, 2023

PACER
15

PRO HAC APPROVED: Julie Marie Blake, Andrea Regan Dill appearing for Plaintiffs Church of Compassion, Dayspring Christian Learning Center (no document attached) (rmc) (Entered: 06/02/2023)

June 2, 2023

June 2, 2023

PACER

Pro Hac Vice Approved - Clerk

June 2, 2023

June 2, 2023

PACER
16

AMENDED COMPLAINT against All Defendants, filed by Church of Compassion, Dayspring Christian Learning Center. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit Exhibit G, # 8 Exhibit Exhibit H, # 9 Exhibit Exhibit I, # 10 Exhibit Exhibit J, # 11 Exhibit Exhibit K, # 12 Exhibit Exhibit L, # 13 Exhibit Exhibit M, # 14 Exhibit Exhibit N, # 15 Exhibit Exhibit O)New Summons Requested. (Galus, Jeremiah) New summons not issued, no new parties added (jms). (Entered: 06/02/2023)

1 Exhibit Exhibit A

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2 Exhibit Exhibit B

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3 Exhibit Exhibit C

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4 Exhibit Exhibit D

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5 Exhibit Exhibit E

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6 Exhibit Exhibit F

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7 Exhibit Exhibit G

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8 Exhibit Exhibit H

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9 Exhibit Exhibit I

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10 Exhibit Exhibit J

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11 Exhibit Exhibit K

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12 Exhibit Exhibit L

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13 Exhibit Exhibit M

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14 Exhibit Exhibit N

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15 Exhibit Exhibit O

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June 2, 2023

June 2, 2023

RECAP
17

**Document Withdrawn per 34 ** MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by Church of Compassion, Dayspring Christian Learning Center. (Attachments: # 1 Memo of Points and Authorities Momo of Points of Authorities in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction, # 2 Declaration Declaration of Ronald Wade)(Galus, Jeremiah) (jms). (Entered: 06/02/2023)

1 Memo of Points and Authorities Momo of Points of Authorities in Support of Motio

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2 Declaration Declaration of Ronald Wade

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June 2, 2023

June 2, 2023

RECAP
18

Corporate Disclosure Statement by Church of Compassion, Dayspring Christian Learning Center. No Corporate Parents/Interested Parties. (Galus, Jeremiah) (jms). (Entered: 06/02/2023)

June 2, 2023

June 2, 2023

PACER
19

Amended Summons Issued. Counsel receiving this notice electronically should print this summons and serve it in accordance with Rule 4, Fed.R.Civ.P and LR 4.1. (jms) (Entered: 06/05/2023)

June 5, 2023

June 5, 2023

PACER
20

Joint MOTION for Order Joint Stipulation and Proposed Order Continuting Defendants Responsive Pleading Deadline and Continuing the Briefing Schedule and Hearing Date for Plaintiffs Motion for Preliminary Injunction by United States Department of Agriculture. (Soichet, Emmanuelle)Attorney Emmanuelle Soichet added to party United States Department of Agriculture(pty:dft) QC mailer sent re attached proposed order (jms). (Entered: 06/08/2023)

June 8, 2023

June 8, 2023

RECAP
21

ORDER (AGS): The parties' joint motion (ECF 20 ) is granted. The hearing date for the motion for preliminary injunction is reset to August 11, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. The opposition is now due July 7, 2023, and any reply must be filed by July 21, 2023. Finally, by September 11, 2023, defendants must respond to the Amended Complaint. Signed by District Judge Andrew G. Schopler on 06/09/2023. (no document attached) (mxa) (Entered: 06/09/2023)

June 9, 2023

June 9, 2023

PACER

Order on Motion for Order

June 9, 2023

June 9, 2023

PACER
22

**Document Withdrawn per 32 ** MOTION re 17 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction for Limited Expedited Discovery by Sean Hardin, Kim Johnson, Jessie Rosales. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Katherine J. Grainger, # 2 Proposed Order)(Grainger, Katherine)Attorney Katherine Jean Grainger added to party Sean Hardin(pty:dft), Attorney Katherine Jean Grainger added to party Kim Johnson(pty:dft), Attorney Katherine Jean Grainger added to party Jessie Rosales(pty:dft)QC mailer sent re attached proposed order(jms). (jms). (Entered: 06/13/2023)

June 13, 2023

June 13, 2023

PACER
23

Ex Parte MOTION to Shorten Time for Briefing and Hearing on Motion for Limited, Expedited Discovery by Sean Hardin, Kim Johnson, Jessie Rosales. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order Granting State Defendants' Motion to Shorten Time)(Grainger, Katherine)QC mailer sent re attached proposed order (jms). (Entered: 06/13/2023)

June 13, 2023

June 13, 2023

PACER
24

RESPONSE in Opposition re 23 Ex Parte MOTION to Shorten Time for Briefing and Hearing on Motion for Limited, Expedited Discovery filed by Church of Compassion, Dayspring Christian Learning Center. (Galus, Jeremiah) (jms). (Entered: 06/14/2023)

June 14, 2023

June 14, 2023

RECAP
25

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Church of Compassion, Dayspring Christian Learning Center. United States Department of Agriculture served. (Galus, Jeremiah) (jms). (Entered: 06/14/2023)

June 14, 2023

June 14, 2023

PACER
26

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Church of Compassion, Dayspring Christian Learning Center. Thomas Vilsack served. (Galus, Jeremiah)=(jms). (Entered: 06/14/2023)

June 14, 2023

June 14, 2023

PACER
27

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Church of Compassion, Dayspring Christian Learning Center. United States Department of Agriculture, Thomas Vilsack served. (Galus, Jeremiah) (jms). (Entered: 06/14/2023)

June 14, 2023

June 14, 2023

PACER
28

REPLY - Other re 24 Response in Opposition to Motion to Shorten Time for Briefing and Hearing on Motion for Limited, Expedited Discovery filed by Sean Hardin, Kim Johnson, Jessie Rosales. (Grainger, Katherine) (jms). (Entered: 06/14/2023)

June 14, 2023

June 14, 2023

PACER
29

ORDER (AGS): Defendants' motion for an expedited briefing schedule on their discovery motion (ECF 23 ) is granted. Plaintiff's response is due June 23, 2023. Defendants' reply is due June 27, 2023. The August 11, 2023 hearing date for the discovery motion is vacated, although the preliminary injunction hearing remains on calendar. Signed by District Judge Andrew G. Schopler on 06/15/2023. (no document attached) (mxa) (Entered: 06/15/2023)

June 15, 2023

June 15, 2023

PACER

Order on Motion to Shorten Time

June 15, 2023

June 15, 2023

PACER
30

RESPONSE in Opposition re 22 MOTION re 17 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction for Limited Expedited Discovery filed by Church of Compassion, Dayspring Christian Learning Center. (Galus, Jeremiah) (jms). (Entered: 06/23/2023)

June 23, 2023

June 23, 2023

RECAP
31

NOTICE of Appearance for the Federal Defendants by Cody Taylor Knapp on behalf of United States Department of Agriculture, Thomas Vilsack (Knapp, Cody)Attorney Cody Taylor Knapp added to party United States Department of Agriculture(pty:dft), Attorney Cody Taylor Knapp added to party Thomas Vilsack(pty:dft) (jms). (Entered: 06/26/2023)

June 26, 2023

June 26, 2023

PACER
32

NOTICE of Withdrawal of Discovery Motion by Sean Hardin, Kim Johnson, Jessie Rosales (Grainger, Katherine) (jms). (Entered: 06/27/2023)

June 27, 2023

June 27, 2023

PACER
33

Joint MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 17 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, 21 Order on Motion for Order, Joint Stipulation and Proposed Order Continuing Briefing Deadlines by United States Department of Agriculture, Thomas Vilsack. (Knapp, Cody) (jms). (Entered: 07/07/2023)

July 7, 2023

July 7, 2023

PACER
34

NOTICE Plaintiffs' Withdrawal of Motion for Preliminary Injunction by Church of Compassion, Dayspring Christian Learning Center re 17 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Galus, Jeremiah) (jms). (Entered: 07/17/2023)

July 17, 2023

July 17, 2023

RECAP
35

ORDER (AGS): As a result of the withdrawal of the plaintiff's preliminary injunction motion (see ECF 34 ), the August 11, 2023 hearing is vacated. All pending motions concerning the same matter are denied as moot. Signed by District Judge Andrew G. Schopler on 07/18/2023. (no document attached) (mxa) (Entered: 07/18/2023)

July 18, 2023

July 18, 2023

PACER

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply

July 18, 2023

July 18, 2023

PACER
36

MINUTE ORDER OF TRANSFER. Magistrate Judge William V. Gallo is no longer assigned. Case reassigned to Magistrate Judge Michelle M. Pettit for all further proceedings. The new case number is 23cv470-AGS-MMP.(no document attached) (jms) (Entered: 07/27/2023)

July 27, 2023

July 27, 2023

PACER

Order of Judge Transfer

July 27, 2023

July 27, 2023

PACER
37

Joint MOTION for Extension of Time to File Responsive Pleadings by Rob Bonta. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Soichet, Emmanuelle)Attorney Emmanuelle Soichet added to party Rob Bonta(pty:dft) QC Mailer sent re attached proposed order (jms). (Entered: 09/08/2023)

Sept. 8, 2023

Sept. 8, 2023

PACER

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File

Sept. 8, 2023

Sept. 8, 2023

PACER
38

ORDER (AGS): The parties' joint motion (ECF 37 ) is granted. Defendants' responsive pleading is now due October 2, 2023. Signed by District Judge Andrew G. Schopler on 09/08/2023. (no document attached) (mxa) (Entered: 09/08/2023)

Sept. 8, 2023

Sept. 8, 2023

PACER
39

Joint MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer by Rob Bonta. (Soichet, Emmanuelle) (jms). (Entered: 10/02/2023)

Oct. 2, 2023

Oct. 2, 2023

PACER
40

ORDER (AGS): The parties' joint motion (ECF 39 ) is granted. Defendants' responsive pleading is now due November 1, 2023. Signed by District Judge Andrew G. Schopler on 10/03/2023. (no document attached) (mxa) (Entered: 10/03/2023)

Oct. 3, 2023

Oct. 3, 2023

PACER

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Oct. 3, 2023

Oct. 3, 2023

PACER
41

Joint MOTION for Extension of Time to File Responsive Pleadings by Kim Johnson. (Soichet, Emmanuelle)Attorney Emmanuelle Soichet added to party Kim Johnson(pty:dft)(jms). (Entered: 11/01/2023)

Nov. 1, 2023

Nov. 1, 2023

RECAP
42

ORDER (AGS): The parties' joint motion (ECF 41 ) is granted. Defendants' responsive pleading is now due February 1, 2024. Signed by District Judge Andrew G. Schopler on 11/02/2023. (no document attached) (mxa) (Entered: 11/02/2023)

Nov. 2, 2023

Nov. 2, 2023

PACER

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File

Nov. 2, 2023

Nov. 2, 2023

PACER
43

NOTICE of Voluntary Dismissal by Church of Compassion, Dayspring Christian Learning Center (Attachments: # 1 Settlement Agreement)(Galus, Jeremiah)(jms). (Entered: 01/16/2024)

1 Settlement Agreement

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Jan. 16, 2024

Jan. 16, 2024

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: California

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 15, 2023

Closing Date: Jan. 17, 2024