Hollie v. Essentia Health Moose Lake Clinic et al

Filing 163

ORDER granting 154 Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis on Appeal. (Written Opinion) Signed by Judge Katherine M. Menendez on 2/6/2024. (BJP)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA
Shannon Hollie,

Case No. 22-cv-314 (KMM/LIB)
Plaintiff,

v.
ORDER
Essentia Health Moose Lake Clinic;
Benjamin Marsh, Medical Doctor,
Essentia Health; and Jane/John Does
(Unknown Individuals);
Defendants.

On December 22, 2023, the Court entered an Order adopting the Report and
Recommendation of United States Magistrate Judge Leo I. Brisbois and dismissing
Plaintiff’s claims. Judgment was entered on December 27, 2023. Plaintiff filed a Notice of
Appeal and this matter is before the Court on his Motion for Leave to Proceed In Forma
Pauperis (“IFP”) on Appeal. Pl.’s IFP Mot., Doc. No. 154.
Mr. Hollie is detained at the Minnesota Sex Offender Program (“MSOP”) facility
in Moose Lake, Minnesota, but he is not a “prisoner” subject to the provisions of the Prison
Litigation Reform Act that require submission of inmate account statements, payment of
an initial partial appellate filing fee, and ultimate payment, in installments, of the full filing
fee. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(2), (b)(1), and (b)(2); Kolocotronis v. Morgan, 247 F.3d 726, 728
(8th Cir. 2001); Housman v. Ludeman, No. 11-cv-3035 (PAM/JFD), 2022 WL 5196107,
at *2 (D. Minn. Oct. 5, 2022). Mr. Hollie’s IFP motion and supporting documents

1

demonstrate that he is financially eligible for IFP status.1 The Court finds that he qualifies
for IFP status on appeal.
“An appeal may not be taken in forma pauperis if the trial court certifies in writing
that it is not taken in good faith.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3); see also Fed. R. App. P. 24(a)(3).
An appeal is taken in good faith and is not frivolous when the claims raised on appeal have
an arguable basis in fact or law. Neitzke v. Williams, 490 U.S. 319, 325 (1989). Here,
Mr. Hollie seeks to appeal the Court’s Order granting the Defendants’ motions for
summary judgment and argues that the Court erred in applying the Americans with
Disabilities Act and in dismissing his claims under federal law. Notice of Appeal at 2, Doc.
No. 157. Although the Court is satisfied that Mr. Hollie’s claims were properly resolved at
the summary judgment stage, his appeal is not frivolous as that term has been defined by
the Supreme Court. Therefore, Mr. Hollie’s appeal is considered to be taken in good faith
for purposes of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(3) and Fed. R. App. P. 24(a)(3), and the Court grants
his IFP application.
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT Plaintiff’s Motion for Leave to
Proceed In Forma Pauperis on Appeal, Doc. No. 154, is GRANTED.

Date: February 6, 2024
s/Katherine Menendez
Katherine Menendez
United States District Judge

Mr. Hollie’s application to proceed IFP in this District Court proceeding was granted.
Order, Doc. No. 8.
1

2