Bullock v. Pa. Human Relations Commission -- ED Pa. Septemb er 14, 2005
Plaintiff's pro se age (ADEA, 29 USC 621 et seq) and disability discrimination (ADA, 42 USC 12101 et seq.) suit in federal court against her former employer, a state agency, dismissed on 11th Amendment grounds.
Congress has not abrogated state immunity under either the ADEA or ADA, and Pennsylvania has not consented to be sued under the ADEA or the ADA. Board of Trustees v. Garrett, 531 US 356 (2001); Kimmel v. Board of Regents, 528 US 62, 91 (2000).
The Commonwealth has waived its immunity for suits in state court for age/disability discrimination under the Pa. Human Relations Act, but it has specifically retained its 11th Amendment immunity for suits in federal court. Dennison v. Dept. of Corrections, 268 F.Supp2d 387, 405 (MD Pa. 2003)
Donald Marritz, staff attorney
MidPenn Legal Services- Gettysburg
