Monell v. Department of Social Services
United States Supreme Court
436 U.S. 658 (1978)
A class of female employees of the New York City Department of Social Services and Board of Education (plaintiffs), led by Monell, sued the department, board, city, and individual officials (defendants) under section 1983, alleging an official policy forcing pregnant employees onto unpaid leave before any medical necessity required it. The district court found the policy unconstitutional but ruled the injunction claim moot since the policy had already been corrected, and denied back pay because it would come from the city, which the court believed enjoyed sovereign immunity from section 1983 suits under Monroe v. Pape; the court of appeals affirmed, and the Supreme Court granted certiorari.
Whether a local government may be held liable under 42 U.S.C. section 1983 for constitutional rights violations that arise from its own official policy.