Facebook Twitter Email
FEBRUARY 22, 2001

In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the sovereign immunity of states from disability discrimination lawsuits filed by state employees.

The Court said the 1990 American with Disabilities doesn't abrogate state immunity from such lawsuits. The Court said Congress didn't meet any of the three tests required to abrogate immunity.

The state of Alabama challenged the law after two employees filed suit and claimed discrimination due to their disabilities. Former President George Bush, who signed the act into law, filed a friend-of-the-court brief and asked the Court to reject the state's argument.

Get the Decision:
BD. OF TR. OF THE UNIV. OF ALABAMA v. GARRETT (US Sup Ct No 99-1240 February 2001)

Get the Story:
Court Limits Scope of ADA (The Washington Post 2/22)
High Court Ruling Clouds N.M. Case (The Albuquerque Journal 2/22)