RULING ON MOTION TO DISMISS
Plaintiff Linda Lee (“Lee”) asserts claims against the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (“DCF”) and Joette Katz (“Katz”) in her official capacity as Commissioner of DCF, for violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq. (“ADA”); the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. § 791 et seq.; the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act, Conn. Gen.Stat. § 46a-60 (“CFEPA”); and the Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Retaliation Act, Conn. Gen.Stat. § 31-290a (“CWCRA”). The defendants have moved to dismiss most of the claims set forth in the Amended Complaint (Doc. No. 40) (the “Complaint”) pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 12(b)(1) and 12(b)(6). Their motion is being granted in part and denied in part.
I. FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS
“The complaint, which [the court] must accept as true for purposes of testing its sufficiency, alleges the following circumstances.” Monsky v. Moraghan,
Shortly after the transfer to CJTS, Lee “began to develop medical problems including, but not limited to, respiratory problems, reoccurring bronchitis, short-term memory loss, cognitive and neurological impairments, and skin rashes, for which she sought medical treatment.” (Compl. ¶ 13.) She was diagnosed as having a number of medical issues, including allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis and asthma, which affects several major life activities including breathing. Lee “was told by her doctor that her disabilities were attributed to mold which was present at her workplace.” (Compl. ¶ 14.) Around January 20, 2004, Lee took a medical leave of absence from work due to the worsening of her medical condition. Around April 14, 2004, Lee filed a Worker’s Compensation claim based on her medical condition.
“Prior to 2004, [Lee] had positive performance reviews and yearly raises. She did not receive reviews or raises once she went on medical leave.” (Compl. ¶ 32.)
When Lee returned to DCF in or around October 2004 for a 90-day temporary assignment, she was assigned “solely paperwork rather than the face-to-face social work she had done previously.” (Compl. ¶ 19.) Riverview Hospital, where Lee was placed for this temporary assignment, had a history of mold and the defendants knowingly placed her in an environment that exacerbated her medical condition. After a few days working at Riverview Hospital, Lee had an allergic reaction that required a visit to the emergency room. Due to the allergic reaction, Lee missed approximately 15 days of the 90-day assignment.
The plaintiff was then -out of work until after April 2008. In or around April 2008, the defendants offered Lee employment at DCF’s office at 55 W. Main Street in Meriden, Connecticut (“55 W. Main”). Lee informed the defendants “that 55 W. Main did riot accommodate her disability because an investigation conducted in or about 2006 revealed that it contained levels of mold which her doctor opined would not make it a medically safe working environment for someone of her sensitivity. [Lee] then requested [the defendants] to accommodate her by offering her a position at a location which was medically safe. [The defendants] refused this request for accommodation.” (Compl. ¶ 24.) On or about May 5, 2008, Lee began work at 55 W. Main. Within two days, she suffered an allergic reaction that required medical attention. “Pursuant to her doctor’s recommendation, [Lee] went back on medical, leave on or about May 7, 2008.” (Compl. ¶ 25.) Around November 12, 2008, Lee attempted to return to work at 55 W. Main, but again experienced an allergic reaction that prompted her to seek medical treatment and again follow her doctor’s recommendation to take medical leave.
Lee kept the defendants “aware of her medical condition and provided up-to-date medical documentation, including doctor’s notes.” (Compl. ¶ 27.)
Around February 19, 2009, the defendants gave Lee “notice that her employment would be terminated due to alleged neglect of duty and attendance effective on or about March 5, 2009.” (Compl. ¶,28.) Although the defendants had a policy that all employees would be placed on a 90-day probationary period prior to termination, they did not follow that policy with Lee. In 21 years as an employee of the State of
On or about June 12, 2009, Lee filed charges of discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and she timely filed suit upon receipt of a right to sue letter.
II. LEGAL STANDARD
“[T]he standards for reviewing dismissals granted under 12(b)(1) and 12(b)(6) are identical.” Moore v. PaineWebber Inc.,
III. DISCUSSION
A. Eleventh Amendment Immunity and ADA Title I Claims (Counts I and II)
The defendants move under Rule 12(b)(1) to dismiss the plaintiffs ADA Title I claims in Counts I and II, except to the extent the plaintiff seeks prospective injunctive relief against Katz, for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The defendants contend that sovereign immunity bars such claims against them.
The Eleventh Amendment provides that “[t]he Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.” U.S. Const, amend. XI. “The Supreme Court has consistently held that the federal courts lack jurisdiction not only over suits against a state brought by citizens of other states, as the literal language of the Amendment provides, but also over suits against such states brought by their own citizens.” Dwyer v. Regan, 777 F.2d 825, 835 (2d Cir.1985) (citations omitted).
The plaintiff argues that her Title I claims are not barred by the Eleventh Amendment so long as she can demonstrate discriminatory animus. She bases this argument on Garcia v. S.U.N.Y. Health Sciences Center of Brooklyn, which held that ADA Title II claims may be “maintained against a state if the plaintiff can establish that the Title II violation was motivated by either discriminatory animus or ill will due to disability.”
The Supreme Court has held that Title I does not abrogate Eleventh Amendment immunity for money damages because “[t]he legislative record of the ADA ... simply fails to show that Congress did in fact identify a pattern of irrational state discrimination in employment against the disabled,” as is required for Congress to abrogate Eleventh Amendment sovereign immunity and exercise its enforcement powers under Section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Reddick v. S. Connecticut State Univ., 3:10CV1118(JBA),
The scope of the Eleventh Amendment bar depends on the identity of the defendant. For suits against states or their agencies, “[tjhis jurisdictional bar applies regardless of the nature of the relief sought.” Pennhurst State Sch. & Hosp. v. Halderman,
For suits against individuals in their official capacities, the applicability of the Eleventh Amendment bar depends on
B. Eleventh Amendment Immunity and State Law Claims (Counts IV and V)
The defendants argue that Counts IV and V, which are state law claims under the CFEPA and the CWCRA, should be dismissed in their entirety as to both defendants under Rule 12(b)(1). In particular, the defendants contend that they are immune from suit on these claims pursuant to the Eleventh Amendment.
In her opposition to the motion to dismiss, the plaintiff asked the court to certify to the Supreme Court of Connecticut the questions of whether Connecticut has consented to be sued in federal district court for violations of the CFEPA and the CWCRA. The court declines to do so because whether a state has consented to be sued (i.e., waived its immunity from suit) in federal court is a question of federal constitutional law, not a question of state law. See, e.g., Lapides v. Bd. of Regents of Univ. System of Ga.,
As discussed in Brown v. Connecticut, The provision of Connecticut law that creates the cause of action for violations of the CFEPA states that:
Any .person who has timely filed a complaint with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities in accordance with section 46a-82 and who has obtained a release from the commission ..., may also bring an action in the superior court for the judicial district in which the discriminatory practice is alleged to have occurred or in which the respondent transacts business, except any action involving a state agency or official may be brought in the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford.
Conn. GemStat. § 46a-100 (emphasis added). Section 46a-82, referenced above, permits “[a]ny person claiming to be aggrieved by an alleged discriminatory practice” — including violations of the CFEPA, Conn. Gen.Stat. § 46a-60 — to file a complaint with the CHRO.
3:08CV1478(MRK),
may either: (l)[b]ring a civil action in the superior court for the judicial district where the employer has its principal office ____; or (2) file a complaint with the chairman of the Workers’ Compensation Commission alleging violation of the provisions of subsection (a) of this section....
Conn. Gen.Stat. § 31-290a(b) (emphasis added). This provision contemplates only an action brought in state court or a complaint filed with a state commission; it does not explicitly contemplate suit in federal court. Thus, like the CFEPA, the CWCRA does not contain an unequivocal waiver of immunity to suit in federal court.
Therefore, Counts IV and V are being dismissed in their entirety.
C. ADA Title II Claims (Counts I and II)
The defendants move under Rule 12(b)(6) to dismiss plaintiffs ADA Title II
The Second Circuit recently “conclude[d] that the [ADA] unambiguously limits employment discrimination claims to Title I. A public employee may not bring a Title II claim against his or her employer, at least when the defendant employer employs fifteen or more employees.” Mary Jo C. v. New York State & Local Ret. Sys., 11-2215,
D. Timeliness of Federal Claims Regarding Pre-Termination Conduct (Counts I, II, and III)
The defendants contend that the plaintiffs federal disability claims (i.e., the claims made in Counts I, II, and III) are time-barred to the extent they are based on the defendants’ conduct prior to the termination of the plaintiffs employment with DCF. Because the ADA Title II claims have been dismissed in their entirety on other grounds, the court considers this argument only with respect to the ADA Title I and Rehabilitation Act claims.
The plaintiff makes the following factual allegations that are relevant to her ADA Title I and Rehabilitation Act claims:
• In or about October 2004, Lee returned to work for DCF on a 90-day temporary assignment, during which she was assigned paperwork rather than her normal duties. During this temporary assignment, the defendants knowingly placed Lee in an environment that would exacerbate her medical condition. After the 90-day assignment concluded, the defendants did not offer Lee a new assignment or location, and Lee was forced to take a medical leave of absence. {See Compl. ¶¶ 18-22.)
• On or about April 10, 2008, the defendants offered Lee a position at 55 W. Main. Lee informed the defendants that 55 W. Main did not accommodate her disability and requested accommodation in the form of a position at a medically safe location. Defendants refused this request and Lee accepted the position at 55 W. Main, where she began to work on or about May 5, 2008. A few days later, Lee went back on medical leave due to an allergic reaction. On or about November 12, 2008, Lee attempted to return to work at 55 W. Main, and then again went on medical leave after experiencing an allergic reaction. {See id. at ¶¶ 24-26.)
• “Prior to 2004, Plaintiff had positive performance reviews and yearly raises. She did not receive reviews or raises once she went on medical leave.” {Id. at ¶ 32.)
• On or about February 19, 2009, the defendants notified Lee that her employment with DCF would be terminated for alleged neglect of duty and attendance effective on or about March 5, 2009. Contrary to DCF policy, the defendants did not place Lee on a 90-day probationary period prior to termination. {See id. at ¶¶ 28, 30.)
1. ADA Title I (Counts I and II)
There is no dispute between the parties as to the applicable time bar for the ADA Title I claims — namely, that a charge must be filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) within 180 days of the alleged unlawful employment action, unless the claimant initially institutes proceedings with a state or local employment agency, in which case the claimant has 300 days. See 42 U.S.C. § 12117 (incorporating the procedures set forth in 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(e)(l) into the ADA Title I). No proceedings instituted with a state or local employment agency are alleged in the Complaint. According to the .Complaint, the plaintiff filed a charge of discrimination with the EEOC on or about June 12, 2009. Based on the foregoing, the parties agree that the plaintiffs Title I claims with respect to the termination of her employment by DCF were timely filed. However, they disagree about whether the Title I claims are timely with respect to the defendants’ conduct prior to the termination of employment.
Whether the Title I claims are time-barred with respect to the pre-termination conduct depends on whether the defendants’ alleged conduct was discrete or continuous. In National R.R. Passenger Corp. v. Morgan,
discrete discriminatory acts are not actionable if time barred, even when they are related to acts alleged in timely filed charges. Each discrete discriminatory act starts a new clock for filing charges alleging that act.... The existence of past acts • and the employee’s prior knowledge of their occurrence, however, does not bar employees from filing charges about related discrete acts so long as the acts are independently discriminatory and charges addressing those acts are themselves timely filed.
Morgan,
The Second Circuit classified “an employer’s rejection of an employee’s proposed accommodation for religious practices” as a discrete act, rather than a continuing violation, because “[o]nce the employer has rejected the proposed accommodation, no periodic implementation of that decision occurs.” Elmenayer v. ABF Freight System, Inc.,
Under this rubric, the plaintiff has not alleged a continuing violation by the defendants, but rather has alleged only a series of discrete acts. The conduct relating to the 2004 90-day temporary assignment and the 2008 placement at 55 W. Main constitute discrete acts as opposed to a continuing violation culminating in the plaintiffs termination as a DCF employee. See Elmenayer,
Also, the allegation that the plaintiff received positive performance reviews and annual raises prior to 2004, but neither reviews nor raises after going on medical leave, (Compl. ¶ 32) does not create a continuing violation. “The clear message of Bazemore [v. Friday,
Therefore, the Title I claims are being dismissed to the extent they concern conduct alleged to have taken place more than 180 days prior to the date the plaintiff filed the charge of discrimination with the EEOC..
2. Rehabilitation Act (Count III)
The parties agree that there is a three-year statute of limitations with respect to the Rehabilitation Act claims. “Where a federal statute is silent with respect to the applicable limitations period, courts apply the most appropriate or analogous state statute of limitations.” M.D. v. Southington Bd. of Educ.,
With respect to this issue, the defendants ’ rely on' Morgan and related federal cases, while the plaintiff asserts that Connecticut law on tolling applies. “[A]lthough federal courts do not borrow state rules governing the accrual of claims” when they borrow state statute of limitations, “they do borrow state equitable tolling rules.” M.D. v. Southington Bd. of Educ.,
The Connecticut Supreme Court has held that in order to support a finding of a continuing course of conduct that maytoll the statute of limitations there must be evidence of the breach of a duty that remained in existence after commission of the original wrong related thereto. That duty must not have terminated pri- or to commencement of the period allowed for bringing an action for such a wrong. Where we have upheld a finding that a duty continued to exist after the cessation of the act or omission relied upon, there has been evidence of either a special relationship between the parties giving rise to such a continuing duty or some later wrongful conduct of a defendant related to the prior act. The continuing course of conduct doctrine reflects the policy that, during an ongoing relationship, lawsuits are premature because specific tortious acts or omissions may be difficult to identify and may yet be remedied.
Neuhaus v. DeCholnoky,
Therefore, the motion to dismiss is being denied as to the Rehabilitation Act claims relating to pre-termination conduct.
IV. CONCLUSION
Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs Amended Complaint (Doc. No. 44) is hereby GRANTED in part and DENIED in part.
Counts I and II are dismissed except to the extent they seek prospective injunctive relief against Katz under ADA Title I with respect to allegedly unlawful conduct not more than 180 days prior to the date Lee filed a charge of discrimination with the EEOC. Counts IV and V are dismissed in their' entirety. Count III remains in its entirety.
It is so ordered.
Notes
. The court recognizes that the Connecticut Supreme Court held that " § 46a-100 represents an unambiguous waiver of sovereign immunity, authorizing actions against the state for alleged discriminatory employment practices in violation of § 46a-60.” Lyon v.
. Because Count V is being dismissed on the basis of sovereign immunity, the court does not reach the defendants' argument that the claim in Count V is precluded by the plaintiff's previous filing of the same claim with the state Worker’s Compensation Commission.
. Lee asserts that the defendants violated 42 U.S.C. § 12132, which provides that "[s]ubject to the provisions of this subchapter, no qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity.”
. 42 U.S.C. § 2000e applies to ADA Title I claims, as well as to Title VII claims. See 42 U.S.C. § 12117.
. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, Pub. L. No. 111-2 (Jan. 29, 2009), which was adopted after Bazemore, does not change the analysis. Under the Act, "an unlawful employment practice occurs, with respect to discrimination in compensation ..., when a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice is adopted, when an individual becomes subject to a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice, or when an individual is affected by application of a discriminatoiy compensation decision or other practice, including each time wages, benefits, or other compensation is paid, .resulting in whole or in part from such a decision or other practice.” Id. at § 3 (emphasis added) (amending 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(e)).
. The court recognizes that some federal courts have applied Morgan to determine whether conduct alleged to violate the Rehabilitation Act was discrete or continuous.
However, those decisions seem to have simply assumed that Morgan applied.
