Sue Suter, et al. v. Artist M., et al. (503 U.S. 347)
U.S. Supreme Court · decided March 25, 1992 · Supreme Court Database (Spaeth)
- Citation
- 503 U.S. 347 · 112 S. Ct. 1360
- Decided
- March 25, 1992
- Term
- October Term 1991
- Vote
- 7–2
- Majority author
- Justice Rehnquist
- Issue area
- Judicial Power
- Disposition
- Reversed
- Outcome
- Petitioning party won
- Ideological direction
- Conservative
Opinion excerpt
Chief Justice Rehnquist delivered the opinion of the Court. This case raises the question whether private individuals have the right to enforce by suit a provision of the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 (Adoption Act or Act), 94 Stat. 500, 42 U. S. C. §§620-628, 670-679a, either under the Act itself or through an action under 42 U. S. C. § 1983. The Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit held that 42 U. S. C. § 671(a)(15) contained an implied right of action, and that respondents could enforce this section of the Act through an action brought under §1983 as well. We hold that the Act does not create an enforceable right on behalf of respondents. The Adoption Act establishes a federal reimbursement program for certain expenses incurred by the States in administering foster care and adoption services. The Act provides that States will be reimbursed for a percentage of foster care and adoption assistance payments when the State satisfies the requirements of the Act. 42 U. S. C. §§ 672-674, 675(4)(A) (1988 ed. and Supp. I). To participate in the program, States must submit a plan to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for approval by the Secretary. §§670, 671. Section 671 lists 16 qualifications which state plans must contain in order to gain the Secretary’s approval. As relevant here, the Act provides: “(a) Requisite features of State plan “In order…
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