Jenkins v. Oklahoma Board of Nursing et al
Filing
15
ORDER granting defendants' 11 and 12 motions to dismiss; the amended complaint is dismissed; as the pleading deficiencies are potentially subject to correction by amendment, plaintiff is granted leave to file a further amended complaint with in 14 days; absent the filing of such amendment, this case will be subject to dismissal without prejudice; should plaintiff elect to pursue this case further, she is encouraged to secure counsel to assist her with it if she can do so. Signed by Honorable Joe Heaton on 10/30/2017. (cla)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
WESTERN DISTRICT OF OKLAHOMA
MELANIE JENKINS.,
Plaintiff,
vs.
OKLAHOMA BOARD OF NURSING,
et al.
Defendants.
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NO. CIV-17-0739-HE
ORDER
Plaintiff Melanie Jenkins, acting pro se, filed this case against the Oklahoma Board
of Nursing and several individuals associated with the Board. She claims that defendants
violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). The nature of that claimed
violation is not clear from the complaint, but appears to involve the Board’s suspension of
plaintiff’s Licensed Practical Nurse license or subsequent remedial efforts. She also claims
that defendants violated the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”), the Administrative
Procedures Act (“APA”), and were negligent in handling her licensure. The Board and its
members and employees filed a motion to dismiss [Doc. #11]. Debbie McKinney, whom
the Board identifies as an independent contractor, filed a separate motion to dismiss. [Doc.
#12]. 1
The moving defendants seeks dismissal on the basis that the complaint and amended
complaint fail to state facts sufficient to state a claim under the ADA against the Board or
1
Jackie Jordan is the only defendant that has not filed a motion to dismiss. However, Ms.
Jordan has not yet been served.
the individuals, that certain defendants have not been served, that certain of the potential
claims would be barred by Eleventh Amendment immunity, and other grounds. Plaintiff
has not responded to either motion.
Notwithstanding plaintiff’s failure to respond, the court has reviewed the amended
complaint and concludes the motions should be granted based on the failure of the
complaint to state a claim. Although plaintiff’s submissions provide background as to her
dealings with the Board, they do not state a claim, under the ADA or otherwise, against the
Board or any individual defendant. 2 As the complaint is subject to dismissal on that basis,
it is unnecessary to address or resolve here the alternate grounds relied on by defendants,
including Eleventh Amendment immunity, adequacy of service, and the like. 3
Defendants’ motions to dismiss [Doc. Nos. 11 &12] are GRANTED. The amended
complaint is DISMISSED.
As the pleading deficiencies are potentially subject to
correction by amendment, plaintiff is granted leave to file a further amended complaint
within 14 days. Absent the filing of such amendment, this case will be subject to dismissal
2
When considering whether claims should be dismissed under Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6), the
court accepts all well-pleaded factual allegations of the complaint as true and views them in the
light most favorable to the plaintiff, the non-moving party. S.E.C. v. Shields, 744 F.3d 633, 640
(10th Cir. 2014). To avoid dismissal, the complaint must allege “enough facts to state a claim to
relief that is plausible on its face” and “raise a right to relief above the speculative level.” Bell
Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555, 570 (2007). As plaintiff is pro se, the court must
construe her pleadings liberally, but will not act was her advocate. James v. Wadas, 724 F.3d
1312, 1315 (10th Cir. 2013).
3
Ordinarily, the court would resolve the Eleventh Amendment immunity issue first, as it
goes to jurisdiction. See Ruiz v. McDonnell, 299 F.3d 1173, 1180 (10th Cir. 2002). However, the
amended complaint is silent as to what specific relief is sought, making it impossible to determine
whether all potential claims are barred by the amendment.
2
without prejudice. Should plaintiff elect to pursue this case further, she is encouraged to
secure counsel to assist her with it if she can do so.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated this 30th day of October, 2017.
3
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