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.

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

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

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 April 1, 2026, 5:06 a.m.

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	Nov. 13, 2024	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)	Clearinghouse
2	Nov. 13, 2024	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)	RECAP
3	Nov. 13, 2024	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)	RECAP
4	Nov. 13, 2024	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)	RECAP
5	Nov. 13, 2024	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)	RECAP
6	Nov. 13, 2024	CASE OPENING NOTICE ISSUED (Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana) (Entered: 11/13/2024)	RECAP
	Nov. 13, 2024	Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice
	Nov. 13, 2024	Case Assigned/Reassigned
	Nov. 13, 2024	Case assigned to District Judge Mary S. McElroy and Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond. (Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana)
	Nov. 13, 2024	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	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)
	Dec. 2, 2024	Order on Motion to Proceed under a Pseudonym
	Dec. 2, 2024	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)
8	Dec. 3, 2024	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)	RECAP
9	Dec. 3, 2024	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)	RECAP
10	Dec. 24, 2024	NOTICE of Appearance by James J. Arguin on behalf of Richard Charest, Ashley Deckert (Arguin, James) (Entered: 12/24/2024)	RECAP
11	Dec. 24, 2024	NOTICE of Appearance by Jeff Kidd on behalf of Richard Charest, Ashley Deckert (Kidd, Jeff) (Entered: 12/24/2024)	RECAP
12	Jan. 2, 2025	Joint STIPULATION To Extension of Time to File Responsive Pleading filed by All Defendants. (Kidd, Jeff) (Entered: 01/02/2025)	RECAP
13	Jan. 14, 2025	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)	RECAP
	Jan. 14, 2025	Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice
	Jan. 14, 2025	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. 15, 2025	Order Reassigning Case
	Jan. 15, 2025	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. 28, 2025	Order AND ~Util - Set Deadlines
	Jan. 28, 2025	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)
14	Jan. 29, 2025	Second STIPULATION re 1 Complaint filed by All Defendants. (Arguin, James) (Entered: 01/29/2025)	RECAP
	Feb. 6, 2025	TEXT ORDER entering 14 Stipulation Extending Time to File Responsive Pleading. Richard Charest answer or responsive pleading due 3/3/2025; Ashley Deckert answer or responsive pleading due 3/3/2025. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 2/6/2025. (Urizandi, Nissheneyra)
	Feb. 6, 2025	Order AND ~Util - Set Deadlines
15	March 3, 2025	ANSWER to Complaint by Richard Charest, Ashley Deckert.(Kidd, Jeff) (Entered: 03/03/2025)	RECAP
16	March 24, 2025	NOTICE of Hearing: Rule 16 Conference set for 4/23/2025 at 11:00 AM by Remote Hearing before District Judge Melissa R. DuBose. This is not a public conference. (Zoom Meeting ID: 160 155 5472, Passcode: 180449) (Urizandi, Nissheneyra) (Entered: 03/24/2025)	RECAP
17	April 4, 2025	MOTION for Katherine Insogna to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( filing fee paid $ 100.00, receipt number ARIDC-2119027 ) filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sullivan, Kristine) (Entered: 04/04/2025)	RECAP
18	April 4, 2025	MOTION for Sua Yoon to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( filing fee paid $ 100.00, receipt number ARIDC-2119029 ) filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sullivan, Kristine) (Entered: 04/04/2025)	RECAP
19	April 4, 2025	MOTION for Raymond Williams to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( filing fee paid $ 100.00, receipt number ARIDC-2119030 ) filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sullivan, Kristine) (Entered: 04/04/2025)	RECAP
20	April 4, 2025	MOTION for Virginia Weeks to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( filing fee paid $ 100.00, receipt number ARIDC-2119031 ) filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sullivan, Kristine) (Entered: 04/04/2025)	RECAP
21	April 4, 2025	MOTION for Matthew Holian to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( filing fee paid $ 100.00, receipt number ARIDC-2119032 ) filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sullivan, Kristine) (Entered: 04/04/2025)	RECAP
	April 4, 2025	Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice
	April 4, 2025	TEXT ORDER granting 17 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Katherine Insogna. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 4/4/2025. (Hill, Cherelle)
	April 4, 2025	TEXT ORDER granting 18 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Sua Yoon. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 4/4/2025. (Hill, Cherelle)
	April 4, 2025	TEXT ORDER granting 19 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Raymond Williams. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 4/4/2025. (Hill, Cherelle)
	April 4, 2025	TEXT ORDER granting 20 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Virginia weeks. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 4/4/2025. (Hill, Cherelle)
	April 4, 2025	TEXT ORDER granting 21 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Matthew Holian. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 4/4/2025. (Hill, Cherelle)
	April 9, 2025	NOTICE of Hearing: Chambers Conference set for 4/11/2025 at 10:00 AM by Remote Hearing before District Judge Melissa R. DuBose. This is not a public conference. (Zoom Meeting ID: 161 164 4777, Passcode: 649286) (Urizandi, Nissheneyra)
	April 9, 2025	Notice of Hearing (Form Attached)
	April 11, 2025	Minute Entry for proceedings held before District Judge Melissa R. DuBose: Chambers Conference held on 4/11/2025. (L. Labinger, K. Sullivan, S. Bartosz, M. Kinney, J. Arguin, J. Kidd) In light of today's chambers conference, the Rule 16 conference scheduled for Apil 23rd is cancelled. (Zoom at 10:00 AM) (Urizandi, Nissheneyra)
	April 11, 2025	Hearing Cancelled
	April 11, 2025	In Chambers Conference
	April 11, 2025	HEARING CANCELLED: The Rule 16 Conference previously scheduled for 4/14/2025 at 11:00 AM is hereby cancelled. (Urizandi, Nissheneyra)
22	April 16, 2025	NOTICE of CONFERENCE: Settlement Conference scheduled for Wednesday 5/28/2025 at 9:30 AM in Chambers before Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. (Jackson, Ryan) (Entered: 04/16/2025)	RECAP
23	May 13, 2025	Joint MOTION for Protective Order filed by All Plaintiffs. Responses due by 5/27/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Proposed Stipulated Protective Order)(Sullivan, Kristine) (Entered: 05/13/2025)	RECAP
	May 14, 2025	Case reassigned to Magistrate Judge Amy E Moses. Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond no longer assigned to the case. (Hill, Cherelle)
	May 14, 2025	Case Assigned/Reassigned
24	May 28, 2025	PROTECTIVE ORDER entered. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 5/28/2025. (Urizandi, Nissheneyra) (Entered: 05/28/2025)	RECAP
	May 28, 2025	TEXT ORDER granting 23 Motion for Protective Order. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 5/28/2025. (Urizandi, Nissheneyra)
	May 28, 2025	Order on Motion for Protective Order
	June 4, 2025	NOTICE of Continuation of Settlement Conference scheduled for Tuesday 8/5/2025 at 9:30 AM in Chambers before Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. (Jackson, Ryan)
	June 4, 2025	Notice of Hearing (Form Attached)
25	June 12, 2025	Joint MOTION to Stay Litigation to Engage in Mediation filed by All Plaintiffs. Responses due by 6/26/2025. (Sullivan, Kristine) (Entered: 06/12/2025)	RECAP
	June 27, 2025	TEXT ORDER granting 25 Motion to Stay. This case is stayed until October 10, 2025. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 6/27/2025. (Urizandi, Nissheneyra)
	June 27, 2025	Order on Motion to Stay
26	Aug. 5, 2025	Joint MOTION to Amend/Correct Order on Motion to Stay to Temporarily Lift Stay to Certify Classes filed by All Plaintiffs. Responses due by 8/19/2025. (Sullivan, Kristine) (Entered: 08/05/2025)	RECAP
27	Aug. 5, 2025	Assented MOTION to Certify Class filed by All Plaintiffs. Responses due by 8/19/2025. (Sullivan, Kristine) (Entered: 08/05/2025)	RECAP
28	Aug. 13, 2025	ORDER granting 26 Joint Motion to Temporarily Lift the Stay of Litigation for the Limited Purpose of Certifying the Classes; granting 27 Plaintiffs' Assented-to-Motion for Class Certification. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 8/13/2025. (Urizandi, Nissheneyra) (Entered: 08/13/2025)	RECAP
29	Sept. 2, 2025	MOTION for Katherine Johnson to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( filing fee paid $ 100.00, receipt number BRIDC-2178508 ) filed by All Plaintiffs. (Sullivan, Kristine) (Entered: 09/02/2025)	RECAP
	Sept. 2, 2025	Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice
	Sept. 2, 2025	TEXT ORDER granting 29 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Katherine Johnson. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 9/2/2025. (Kenny, Meghan)
30	Oct. 9, 2025	Joint MOTION to Stay filed by All Plaintiffs. Responses due by 10/23/2025. (Sullivan, Kristine) (Entered: 10/09/2025)	RECAP
31	Oct. 17, 2025	NOTICE by J. L. A., J. S. A., K. A., L. A., Patricia Byrnes, A. C., A. T. C., C. C., J. C., K. C., R. C., J. E. L., C. M., E. M., D. T., P. T., A. R. V., D. R. V., R. X. of Withdrawal of Aarti Iyer (Sullivan, Kristine) (Entered: 10/17/2025)	RECAP
	Nov. 24, 2025	TEXT ORDER granting 30 Motion to Stay. This case is stayed until further order of the Court. The parties shall file a status report on or before February 27, 2026. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 11/24/2025. (Urizandi, Nissheneyra)
	Nov. 24, 2025	Order on Motion to Stay
32	Feb. 18, 2026	Status Report	RECAP
33	March 31, 2026	Notice of Hearing (Form Attached)	RECAP
	March 31, 2026	Order

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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

State

Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families

Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services

Defendant Type(s):