Collins v. Brewer
Encyclopedia
Collins v. Brewer No. 2:09-cv-02402-JWS (Az.Dist.Ct.) is a federal lawsuit
seeking to overturn Arizona's passage of House Bill 2013, a 2009 law which removes state health insurance benefits provided to domestic partners. The bill was signed into law by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer
in September 2009, who is the defendant
in the lawsuit in her official capacity. In November 2009, Lambda Legal
filed the lawsuit in response, representing lead plaintiff
Tracy Collins and nine other plaintiffs, all domestic partners of someone of the same sex. The plaintiffs asked for summary judgment based on due process and equal protection claims. On July 23, 2010, U.S. District Judge John W. Sedwick
denied the due process claim, but based on the equal protection claim issued a temporary injunction blocking enforcement of the law pending a trial.
The suit and the judge's order have no effect on those domestic partners engaged in opposite-sex relationships, who still lose their benefits as scheduled under the 2009 law, although they can get married to receive their benefits.
On September 7, 2011, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
affirmed the earlier federal court injunction overturning the Arizona law, writing that a state may not provide health care "in an arbitrary or discriminatory manner that adversely affects particular groups that may be unpopular."
Lawsuit
A lawsuit or "suit in law" is a civil action brought in a court of law in which a plaintiff, a party who claims to have incurred loss as a result of a defendant's actions, demands a legal or equitable remedy. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiff's complaint...
seeking to overturn Arizona's passage of House Bill 2013, a 2009 law which removes state health insurance benefits provided to domestic partners. The bill was signed into law by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer
Jan Brewer
Janice Kay "Jan" Brewer is the 22nd and current Governor of the U.S. state of Arizona and a member of the Republican Party. She is the fourth woman, and third consecutive woman, to hold the office...
in September 2009, who is the defendant
Defendant
A defendant or defender is any party who is required to answer the complaint of a plaintiff or pursuer in a civil lawsuit before a court, or any party who has been formally charged or accused of violating a criminal statute...
in the lawsuit in her official capacity. In November 2009, Lambda Legal
Lambda Legal
Lambda Legal is an American civil rights organization that focuses on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender communities as well as people living with HIV/AIDS through impact litigation, education, and public policy work.Lambda's founder William J. Thom, Esq...
filed the lawsuit in response, representing lead plaintiff
Plaintiff
A plaintiff , also known as a claimant or complainant, is the term used in some jurisdictions for the party who initiates a lawsuit before a court...
Tracy Collins and nine other plaintiffs, all domestic partners of someone of the same sex. The plaintiffs asked for summary judgment based on due process and equal protection claims. On July 23, 2010, U.S. District Judge John W. Sedwick
John W. Sedwick
John W. Sedwick is an American lawyer and judge. He is currently a judge on the United States District Court for the District of Alaska....
denied the due process claim, but based on the equal protection claim issued a temporary injunction blocking enforcement of the law pending a trial.
The suit and the judge's order have no effect on those domestic partners engaged in opposite-sex relationships, who still lose their benefits as scheduled under the 2009 law, although they can get married to receive their benefits.
On September 7, 2011, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is a U.S. federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* District of Alaska* District of Arizona...
affirmed the earlier federal court injunction overturning the Arizona law, writing that a state may not provide health care "in an arbitrary or discriminatory manner that adversely affects particular groups that may be unpopular."