Case: United States v. State of Utah

2:24-cv-00241 | U.S. District Court for the District of Utah

Filed Date: April 2, 2024

Closed Date: Jan. 29, 2025

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a case about the rights of transgender incarcerated individuals. On April 2, 2024, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) filed this lawsuit against the state of Utah, the Utah Department of Corrections (UDOC), and the Utah Department of Health and Human Services in the United States District Court for the District of Utah. The DOJ alleged that the Defendants failed to timely and adequately provide treatment for a transgender inmate's diagnosed gender dysphoria, in violation of t…

This is a case about the rights of transgender incarcerated individuals.

On April 2, 2024, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) filed this lawsuit against the state of Utah, the Utah Department of Corrections (UDOC), and the Utah Department of Health and Human Services in the United States District Court for the District of Utah. The DOJ alleged that the Defendants failed to timely and adequately provide treatment for a transgender inmate's diagnosed gender dysphoria, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The DOJ filed suit pursuant to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12131-34, and its implementing regulation, 28 C.F.R. pt. 35. The DOJ sought declaratory and injunctive relief to enjoin Defendants and their agencies, agents, and employees from discriminating against the Complainant and other individuals with gender dysphoria; order Defendants to adopt or revise policies to ensure that individuals with gender dysphoria who are incarcerated at UDOC are afforded an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from its services;  order Defendants to provide nondiscriminatory health care services to Complainant for her gender dysphoria; order Defendants to reasonably modify policies to avoid gender discrimination; order Defendants to provide training to UDOC staff who interact with incarcerated individuals on gender dysphoria and the nondiscrimination requirements of Title II of the ADA; and order Defendant UDOC to create an ADA compliance officer. The DOJ also sought compensatory damages for the Complainant and other aggrieved individuals for injuries caused by the ADA violations. 

The case was assigned to Judge Jill N. Parrish.

On June 12, 2024, Defendants filed a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim. Specifically, Defendant alleged that gender dysphoria was not a disability covered under the ADA.

After the inauguration of Donald Trump on January 20th, 2025, the United States changed its position on transgender rights, including in prison.  See EO 14168 - Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government. The DOJ voluntarily dismissed this case on January 29, 2025.

The case is closed. 

Summary Authors

Madilynn O'Hara (3/3/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68401118/parties/united-states-v-state-of-utah/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Andersen, Jane Elizabeth (Utah)

Bass, Alyse (Utah)

Berndt, Amanda A. (Utah)

Attorney for Defendant

Chesnut, Heather J. (Utah)

Goff, Darin B. (Utah)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

2:24-cv-00241

Complaint

United States v. Utah

April 2, 2024

April 2, 2024

Complaint
25

2:24-cv-00241

Defendant's Motion to Dismiss

June 12, 2024

June 12, 2024

Pleading / Motion / Brief
33

2:24-cv-00241

Notice of Voluntary Dismissal Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a)(1)(A)(i)

United States v. Utah

Jan. 29, 2025

Jan. 29, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/68401118/united-states-v-state-of-utah/

Last updated April 19, 2025, 4:47 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against State of Utah, Utah Department of Corrections, Utah Department of Health and Human Services No Fee Required - US Government filed by United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet) (Berndt, Amanda) (Entered: 04/02/2024)

1 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

April 2, 2024

April 2, 2024

Clearinghouse

Add and Terminate Judges

April 2, 2024

April 2, 2024

PACER

Judge Jill N. Parrish added. Case number will now read 2:24-cv-00241-JNP. Please make changes to document captions accordingly. (sg)

April 2, 2024

April 2, 2024

PACER
2

Requested Summons as to State of Utah. (Berndt, Amanda) (Entered: 04/02/2024)

April 2, 2024

April 2, 2024

PACER
3

NOTICE OF INELIGIBLE ATTORNEY -Attorney Kristen Clarke, Rebecca B. Bond and Amanda Maisels, for Plaintiff United States of America, has been notified that he/she is not in active status or has not been admitted to practice in this court and can not practice before this court. (sg) (Entered: 04/02/2024)

April 2, 2024

April 2, 2024

PACER
4

Requested Summons as to Utah Department of Corrections. (Berndt, Amanda) (Entered: 04/02/2024)

April 2, 2024

April 2, 2024

PACER
5

Requested Summons as to Utah Department of Health and Human Services. (Berndt, Amanda) (Entered: 04/02/2024)

April 2, 2024

April 2, 2024

PACER
6

NOTICE OF MAGISTRATE JUDGE AVAILABILITY TO PRESIDE OVER CASE- Under 28 U.S.C. 636(c), Fed. R. Civ. P. 73, and DUCivR 72-4, you are hereby notified that a magistrate judge for the District of Utah may conduct any or all proceedings in this case, including a jury or bench trial and entry of a final judgment. Exercise of this jurisdiction by the magistrate judge is permitted only if all parties voluntarily sign and return the form. To consent, return the Consent Form to the clerk's office within 21 days via email at consents@utd.uscourts.gov or mail at the address on the form. Please do not efile the Consent Form in the case. Notice e-mailed or mailed to Plaintiff United States of America. (Notice generated by Clerk's Office) Form due by 4/23/2024. (sg) (Entered: 04/02/2024)

April 2, 2024

April 2, 2024

PACER
7

Summons Issued Electronically as to State of Utah. Instructions to Counsel:1. Click on the document number.2. If you are prompted for an ECF login, enter your 'Attorney' login to CM/ECF.3. Print the issued summons for service. (kec) (Entered: 04/02/2024)

April 2, 2024

April 2, 2024

PACER
8

Summons Issued Electronically as to Utah Department of Corrections. Instructions to Counsel:1. Click on the document number.2. If you are prompted for an ECF login, enter your 'Attorney' login to CM/ECF.3. Print the issued summons for service. (kec) (Entered: 04/02/2024)

April 2, 2024

April 2, 2024

PACER
9

Summons Issued Electronically as to Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Instructions to Counsel:1. Click on the document number.2. If you are prompted for an ECF login, enter your 'Attorney' login to CM/ECF.3. Print the issued summons for service. (kec) (Entered: 04/02/2024)

April 2, 2024

April 2, 2024

PACER
10

MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer filed by Defendants State of Utah, Utah Department of Corrections, Utah Department of Health and Human Services. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order) Attorney Darin B. Goff added to party State of Utah(pty:dft), Attorney Darin B. Goff added to party Utah Department of Corrections(pty:dft), Attorney Darin B. Goff added to party Utah Department of Health and Human Services(pty:dft)(Goff, Darin) (Entered: 04/17/2024)

April 17, 2024

April 17, 2024

PACER
11

ORDER granting 10 Motion for Extension of Time to Answer: The defendants shall file an answer or other response to the plaintiffs complaint on or before June 5, 2024. Signed by Judge Jill N. Parrish on 4/17/24. (dle) (Entered: 04/17/2024)

April 17, 2024

April 17, 2024

PACER
12

NOTICE of Appearance by Heather J. Chesnut on behalf of State of Utah, Utah Department of Corrections, Utah Department of Health and Human Services (Chesnut, Heather) (Entered: 04/18/2024)

April 18, 2024

April 18, 2024

PACER
13

CIVIL STANDING ORDER Signed by Judge Jill N. Parrish on 4/26/2024. (lwh) (Entered: 04/26/2024)

April 26, 2024

April 26, 2024

PACER
14

ORDER REFERRING CASE to Magistrate Judge Jared C. Bennett under 28:636 (b)(1)(A), Magistrate Judge to hear and determine all nondispositive pretrial matters. No attached document. Signed by Judge Jill N. Parrish on 4/30/2024. (lwh) (Entered: 04/30/2024)

April 30, 2024

April 30, 2024

PACER

Order Referring Case to Magistrate Judge

April 30, 2024

April 30, 2024

PACER
15

ORDER TO PROPOSE SCHEDULE - See order for details. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jared C. Bennett on 04/30/2024. (haa) (Entered: 05/01/2024)

April 30, 2024

April 30, 2024

RECAP
16

NOTICE OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT of Civil Standing Order 13 filed by Plaintiff United States of America (Berndt, Amanda) (Entered: 05/01/2024)

May 1, 2024

May 1, 2024

PACER
17

NOTICE OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT of Civil Standing Order filed by Plaintiff United States of America (Bass, Alyse) (Entered: 05/02/2024)

May 2, 2024

May 2, 2024

PACER
18

NOTICE OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT of Civil Standing Order 13 filed by Plaintiff United States of America (Andersen, Jane) (Entered: 05/02/2024)

May 2, 2024

May 2, 2024

PACER
19

NOTICE OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT of Civil Standing Order 13 filed by Defendants State of Utah, Utah Department of Corrections, Utah Department of Health and Human Services (Goff, Darin) (Entered: 05/03/2024)

May 3, 2024

May 3, 2024

PACER
20

NOTICE of Appearance by Joni J. Jones on behalf of State of Utah, Utah Department of Corrections, Utah Department of Health and Human Services (Jones, Joni) (Entered: 05/10/2024)

May 10, 2024

May 10, 2024

PACER
21

MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer filed by Defendants State of Utah, Utah Department of Corrections, Utah Department of Health and Human Services. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order Order Granting Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to Answer or Otherwise Respond to Plaintiff's Complaint) Motions referred to Jared C. Bennett.(Goff, Darin) (Entered: 06/04/2024)

June 4, 2024

June 4, 2024

PACER

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

June 4, 2024

June 4, 2024

PACER
22

DOCKET TEXT ORDER granting 21 Motion for Extension of Time to Answer. Defendants shall answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiff's complaint no later than June 12, 2024. Signed by Judge Jill N. Parrish on 6/4/2024. No attached document. (apf) (Entered: 06/04/2024)

June 4, 2024

June 4, 2024

PACER
23

NOTICE of Appearance by J. Clifford Petersen on behalf of State of Utah, Utah Department of Corrections, Utah Department of Health and Human Services (Petersen, J.) (Entered: 06/12/2024)

June 12, 2024

June 12, 2024

PACER
24

NOTICE of Appearance by Stanford Edward Purser on behalf of State of Utah, Utah Department of Corrections, Utah Department of Health and Human Services (Purser, Stanford) (Entered: 06/12/2024)

June 12, 2024

June 12, 2024

PACER
25

Defendant's MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM and Memorandum in Support filed by Defendants State of Utah, Utah Department of Corrections, Utah Department of Health and Human Services. (Purser, Stanford) (Entered: 06/12/2024)

June 12, 2024

June 12, 2024

Clearinghouse
26

NOTICE OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT of Civil Standing Order 13 filed by Defendants State of Utah, Utah Department of Corrections, Utah Department of Health and Human Services (Purser, Stanford) (Entered: 06/25/2024)

June 25, 2024

June 25, 2024

PACER
27

Plaintiff's MEMORANDUM in Opposition re 25 Defendant's MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM and Memorandum in Support filed by Plaintiff United States of America. (Bass, Alyse) (Entered: 07/10/2024)

July 10, 2024

July 10, 2024

PACER
28

NOTICE of Appearance by Amanda N. Montague on behalf of Utah Department of Corrections (Montague, Amanda) (Entered: 07/18/2024)

July 18, 2024

July 18, 2024

PACER
29

NOTICE of Appearance by Stephanie M. Saperstein on behalf of Utah Department of Health and Human Services (Saperstein, Stephanie) (Entered: 07/18/2024)

July 18, 2024

July 18, 2024

PACER
30

Defendant's MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 27 Memorandum in Opposition to Motion filed by Defendants State of Utah, Utah Department of Corrections, Utah Department of Health and Human Services. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order) Motions referred to Jared C. Bennett.(Goff, Darin) (Entered: 07/19/2024)

July 19, 2024

July 19, 2024

PACER

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

July 19, 2024

July 19, 2024

PACER
31

DOCKET TEXT ORDER granting 30 Motion for Extension of Time to File Reply. Defendants may file their reply memorandum no later than July 31, 2024. Signed by Judge Jill N. Parrish on 7/19/2024. No attached document. (apf) (Entered: 07/19/2024)

July 19, 2024

July 19, 2024

PACER
32

Defendant's REPLY to Response to Motion re 25 Defendant's MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM and Memorandum in Support filed by Defendants State of Utah, Utah Department of Corrections, Utah Department of Health and Human Services. (Purser, Stanford) (Entered: 07/31/2024)

July 31, 2024

July 31, 2024

PACER
33

NOTICE of Voluntary Dismissal filed by Plaintiff United States of America (Bass, Alyse) (Entered: 01/29/2025)

Jan. 29, 2025

Jan. 29, 2025

Clearinghouse

Civil Case Terminated in light of 33 Notice of Voluntary Dismissal. Case closed. Magistrate Judge Jared C. Bennett no longer assigned to case. (dle)

Jan. 30, 2025

Jan. 30, 2025

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Utah

Case Type(s):

Healthcare Access and Reproductive Issues

Prison Conditions

Disability Rights

Special Collection(s):

Transgender Healthcare Access Cases

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations Involving the Government

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations Involving the Government (Transgender Rights)

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 2, 2024

Closing Date: Jan. 29, 2025

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Department of Justice (DOJ)

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

State of Utah, State

Utah Department of Corrections, State

Utah Department of Health and Human Services, State

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

LGBTQ+:

LGBTQ+