Pennhurst State School and Hospital v. Halderman
- Decided
- January 23, 1984
- Docket
- 81-2101
- Status
- Published
- Jurisdiction
- Federal
Cited 8,956 timesSuperseded by statute (verified)Possible negative treatment: superseded by statute, overruled in part on other grounds (5 of 29 verified; none is a verified overruling) · Stahl v. Klotz
What later courts said
- holding that llth Amendment bars claims against state “regardless of whether monetary damages, equitable relief, or retrospective declaratory relief is sought” — Keitt v. New York City (2011)
- holding that defendants including Pennsylvania DPW, and Pennhurst State School and Hospital — “a state institution” — were entitled to immunity under the Eleventh Amendment — Betts v. New Castle Youth Development Center (2010)
- holding that the Eleventh Amendment bars federal courts from enjoining state officials from violating state law — (untitled) (1996)
Each line is a later court’s own words about this case, not a summary. Read the opinion before relying on it.
How the opinion begins
Justice Powell delivered the opinion of the Court.
This case presents the question whether a federal court may award injunctive relief against state officials on the basis of state law.
[*92] I — t This litigation, here for the second time, concerns the conditions of care at petitioner Pennhurst State School and Hospital, a Pennsylvania institution for the care of the mentally retarded. See Pennhurst State School and Hospital v. Halderman, 451 U. S. 1 (1981). Although the litigation’s history is set forth in detail in our prior opinion, see id., at 5-10, it is necessary for purposes of this decision to review that history.
Statutes cited
- 29 U.S.C. § 794
- 42 U.S.C. § 6001
- 42 U.S.C. § 6010
- 42 U.S.C. § 6011
- 42 U.S.C. § 1983
Cite this
Pennhurst State School and Hospital v. Halderman, 465 U.S. 89 (1984)Read the full opinion
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