California AG Bonta Joins 18-State Amicus Brief Backing Washington Laws on Shelter and Care for Runaway Minors
California Attorney General Rob Bonta on October 28 joined a coalition of 18 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in International Partners for Ethical Care, Inc. v. Ferguson, supporting Washington State's laws governing shelter and medical care for runaway minors at licensed youth homeless shelters and arguing that the parents challenging the laws lack legal standing.
In November 2023, a group of parents sued Washington in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, asserting that the state's laws on parental notification when a minor seeks refuge at a licensed youth homeless shelter — Wash. Rev. Code § 71.34.530, Engrossed Senate Bill 5599, and Substitute House Bill 1406 — violate their constitutional rights by interfering with their ability to parent. The district court dismissed the complaint, the Ninth Circuit affirmed, and the case is now before the U.S. Supreme Court.
The coalition's brief makes three arguments: the suing parents have not shown adequate evidence of legitimate legal standing; accepting their complaint would create an exception giving parental rights preferential treatment over other constitutional rights; and the lawsuit threatens states' legitimate interest in protecting the well-being of their child residents. The coalition urges the Supreme Court to affirm the dismissal.
"Minors fleeing from difficult home lives deserve to receive proper protection and access to crucial medical treatment," Bonta said. "State laws like those in Washington allow licensed youth homeless shelters to care for minors seeking refuge while acknowledging the important role parents play in their children's lives. These laws are being challenged by individuals who have no direct stake in, and who are unaffected by, the challenged laws. California remains committed to safeguarding our youths' physical and mental well-being while respecting parents' rights."
Joining Bonta in the brief are the attorneys general of Massachusetts, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于华盛顿的美国最高法院大楼（素材库 federal-core 固定图）。GSM 素材库。 / The U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington. GSM asset library (federal-core pack).
