Case: J.E.L. v. Charest

1:24-cv-00471 | U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island

Filed Date: Nov. 13, 2024

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This is a case about healthcare access for Medicaid-eligible youth in Rhode Island. On November 13, 2024, ten Medicaid-eligible minors brought a class action suit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island, against the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families, as well as the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, for failure to provide adequate treatment for Medicaid-eligible children and youth in Rhode Island with significant behavioral health needs. Plaintiffs sought to include in their class action all current and future Medicaid-eligible children in Rhode Island under 21-years-old who had been diagnosed with a serious emotional disturbance (“SED”) and for whom Intensive Home and Community-Based Services had been advised. Plaintiffs brought suit under the Medicaid Act, 42 U.S.C. 42 U.S.C. §§ 1396, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101, and §504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. § 794, to seek injunctive relief requiring defendants to provide Intensive Home and Community-Based Services and prevent themselves or similarly-situated minors from institutionalization in hospitals and congregate care settings. Their complaint alleged that defendants’ failure to provide such services resulted in the institutionalization of minors in restrictive environments such as psychiatric hospitals and congregate care settings. The case was assigned to District Judge Melissa R. DuBose.

As of February 2025, the case is ongoing.

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Summary Authors

Keren Yi (3/9/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69369648/parties/jel-v-charest/

Judge(s)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Bartosz, Samantha (Rhode Island)

Iyer, Aarti (Rhode Island)

Kinney, Madeleine MacNeil (Rhode Island)

Attorney for Defendant

Arguin, James J. (Rhode Island)

Kidd, Jeff (Rhode Island)

Judge(s)

McElroy, Mary Susan (Rhode Island)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Bartosz, Samantha (Rhode Island)

Iyer, Aarti (Rhode Island)

Kinney, Madeleine MacNeil (Rhode Island)

Labinger, Lynette J. (Rhode Island)

Sullivan, Kristine Louise (Rhode Island)

Attorney for Defendant

Arguin, James J. (Rhode Island)

Kidd, Jeff (Rhode Island)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 1:24-cv-00471	Class Action Complaint	Nov. 13, 2024	Nov. 13, 2024 Complaint

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69369648/jel-v-charest/

Last updated Oct. 20, 2025, 11:01 p.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT ( filing fee paid $ 405.00, receipt number ARIDC-2065250 ), filed by JEL. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Waiver of Service - Charest, # 3 Waiver of Service - Deckert)(Sullivan, Kristine) (Entered: 11/13/2024)	Nov. 13, 2024	Nov. 13, 2024 Clearinghouse
2	MOTION to Proceed Under a Pseudonym filed by ARV, CC, KC, RC, DT, PT, RX, CM. Responses due by 11/27/2024. (Attachments: # 1 Supporting Memorandum)(Sullivan, Kristine) (Entered: 11/13/2024)	Nov. 13, 2024	Nov. 13, 2024 PACER
3	MOTION to Seal Filed. Notice Sent To: ARV, CC, KC, RC, DT, PT, RX, Richard Charest, Ashley Deckert. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Sealed Document Identification of Pseudonymous Parties)(Sullivan, Kristine) This entry/document has been filed under seal pursuant to statute, rule or court order and access is restricted. Please login to CM/ECF to view document(s). (Entered: 11/13/2024)	Nov. 13, 2024	Nov. 13, 2024 PACER
4	MOTION for Samantha Bartosz to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( filing fee paid $ 100.00, receipt number ARIDC-2065378 ) filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sullivan, Kristine) (Main Document 4 replaced on 11/13/2024) (Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana). (Entered: 11/13/2024)	Nov. 13, 2024	Nov. 13, 2024 PACER
5	MOTION for Aarti Iyer to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( filing fee paid $ 100.00, receipt number ARIDC-2065382 ) filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sullivan, Kristine) (Main Document 5 replaced on 11/13/2024) (Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana). (Entered: 11/13/2024)	Nov. 13, 2024	Nov. 13, 2024 PACER
6	CASE OPENING NOTICE ISSUED (Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana) (Entered: 11/13/2024)	Nov. 13, 2024	Nov. 13, 2024 PACER
	Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice	Nov. 13, 2024	Nov. 13, 2024 PACER
	Case Assigned/Reassigned	Nov. 13, 2024	Nov. 13, 2024 PACER
	Case assigned to District Judge Mary S. McElroy and Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond. (Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana)	Nov. 13, 2024	Nov. 13, 2024 PACER
	TEXT ORDER granting 4 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Samantha Bartosz. So Ordered by District Judge Mary S. McElroy on 11/13/2024. (Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana)	Nov. 13, 2024	Nov. 13, 2024 PACER
	TEXT ORDER granting 5 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Aarti Iyer. So Ordered by District Judge Mary S. McElroy on 11/13/2024. (Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana)	Nov. 13, 2024	Nov. 13, 2024 PACER
	Order on Motion to Proceed under a Pseudonym	Dec. 2, 2024	Dec. 2, 2024 PACER
	TEXT ORDER. The plaintiffs' Motion to Proceed Under a Pseudonym (ECF No. 2 ) is GRANTED. The Court may, however, reconsider this Order upon motion of the defendants.. So Ordered by District Judge Mary S. McElroy on 12/2/2024. (Potter, Carrie)	Dec. 2, 2024	Dec. 2, 2024 PACER
8	WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed by A. R. V., R. X., Patricia Byrnes, A. C., J. E. L., K. C., C. C., K. A., L. A., A. T. C., C. M., J. C., J. L. A., J. S. A., E. M., D. T., D. R. V., R. C., P. T.. Richard Charest waiver sent on 11/13/2024, answer due 1/13/2025. (Sullivan, Kristine) (Entered: 12/03/2024)	Dec. 3, 2024	Dec. 3, 2024 PACER
9	WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed by A. R. V., R. X., Patricia Byrnes, A. C., J. E. L., K. C., C. C., K. A., L. A., A. T. C., C. M., J. C., J. L. A., J. S. A., E. M., D. T., D. R. V., R. C., P. T.. Ashley Deckert waiver sent on 11/13/2024, answer due 1/13/2025. (Sullivan, Kristine) (Entered: 12/03/2024)	Dec. 3, 2024	Dec. 3, 2024 PACER
10	NOTICE of Appearance by James J. Arguin on behalf of Richard Charest, Ashley Deckert (Arguin, James) (Entered: 12/24/2024)	Dec. 24, 2024	Dec. 24, 2024 PACER
11	NOTICE of Appearance by Jeff Kidd on behalf of Richard Charest, Ashley Deckert (Kidd, Jeff) (Entered: 12/24/2024)	Dec. 24, 2024	Dec. 24, 2024 PACER
12	Joint STIPULATION To Extension of Time to File Responsive Pleading filed by All Defendants. (Kidd, Jeff) (Entered: 01/02/2025)	Jan. 2, 2025	Jan. 2, 2025 PACER
13	MOTION for Madeleine Kinney to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( filing fee paid $ 100.00, receipt number ARIDC-2086335 ) filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sullivan, Kristine) (Entered: 01/14/2025)	Jan. 14, 2025	Jan. 14, 2025 PACER
	Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice	Jan. 14, 2025	Jan. 14, 2025 PACER
	TEXT ORDER granting 13 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Madeleine Kinney. So Ordered by District Judge Mary S. McElroy on 1/14/2025. (Hill, Cherelle)	Jan. 14, 2025	Jan. 14, 2025 PACER
	Order Reassigning Case	Jan. 15, 2025	Jan. 15, 2025 PACER
	TEXT ORDER REASSIGNING CASE. Case reassigned to District Judge Melissa R. DuBose for all further proceedings. District Judge Mary S. McElroy no longer assigned to case. So Ordered by District Judge Mary S. McElroy on 1/15/2025. (Potter, Carrie)	Jan. 15, 2025	Jan. 15, 2025 PACER
	Order AND ~Util - Set Deadlines	Jan. 28, 2025	Jan. 28, 2025 PACER
	TEXT ORDER entering 12 Stipulation re Responsive Pleading. Richard Charest answer or responsive pleasing due 2/3/2025; Ashley Deckert answer or responsive pleading due 2/3/2025. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 1/28/2025. (Urizandi, Nissheneyra)	Jan. 28, 2025	Jan. 28, 2025 PACER
14	Second STIPULATION re 1 Complaint filed by All Defendants. (Arguin, James) (Entered: 01/29/2025)	Jan. 29, 2025	Jan. 29, 2025 PACER
	Order AND ~Util - Set Deadlines	Feb. 6, 2025	Feb. 6, 2025 PACER
15	Answer to Complaint	March 3, 2025	March 3, 2025 PACER
16	Notice of Hearing (Form Attached)	March 24, 2025	March 24, 2025 PACER
17	Appear Pro Hac Vice	April 4, 2025	April 4, 2025 PACER
18	Appear Pro Hac Vice	April 4, 2025	April 4, 2025 PACER
19	Appear Pro Hac Vice	April 4, 2025	April 4, 2025 PACER
20	Appear Pro Hac Vice	April 4, 2025	April 4, 2025 PACER
21	Appear Pro Hac Vice	April 4, 2025	April 4, 2025 PACER
	Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice	April 4, 2025	April 4, 2025 PACER
	Notice of Hearing (Form Attached)	April 9, 2025	April 9, 2025 PACER
	Hearing Cancelled	April 11, 2025	April 11, 2025 PACER
	In Chambers Conference	April 11, 2025	April 11, 2025 PACER
22	Notice of Hearing (Form Attached)	April 16, 2025	April 16, 2025 PACER
23	Protective Order	May 13, 2025	May 13, 2025 PACER
	Case Assigned/Reassigned	May 14, 2025	May 14, 2025 PACER
24	Protective Order	May 28, 2025	May 28, 2025 PACER
	Order on Motion for Protective Order	May 28, 2025	May 28, 2025 PACER
	Notice of Hearing (Form Attached)	June 4, 2025	June 4, 2025 PACER
25	Stay	June 12, 2025	June 12, 2025 PACER
	Order on Motion to Stay	June 27, 2025	June 27, 2025 PACER
26	Amend/Correct	Aug. 5, 2025	Aug. 5, 2025 PACER
27	Certify Class	Aug. 5, 2025	Aug. 5, 2025 PACER
28	Order on Motion to Amend/Correct AND Order on Motion to Certify Class	Aug. 13, 2025	Aug. 13, 2025 PACER
29	Appear Pro Hac Vice	Sept. 2, 2025	Sept. 2, 2025 PACER
	Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice	Sept. 2, 2025	Sept. 2, 2025 PACER
30	Stay	Oct. 9, 2025	Oct. 9, 2025 PACER
31	Notice (Other)	Oct. 17, 2025	Oct. 17, 2025 PACER

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Case Details

State / Territory: Rhode Island

Case Type(s):

Child Welfare

Disability Rights

Healthcare Access and Reproductive Issues

Mental Health (Facility)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Nov. 13, 2024

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiffs are Medicaid-eligible youth in Rhode Island, who were diagnosed with a serious emotional disturbance and, in some instances, with co-occurring developmental disability. Plaintiffs sought to include in their class action all current and future Medicaid-eligible children in Rhode Island diagnosed with SED and for whom Intensive Home and Community-Based Services had been advised.

Attorney Organizations:

ACLU Affiliates (any)

Children's Rights, Inc.

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Unknown

Defendants

Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families, State

Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services, State

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide