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57 Akron L. Rev. 1 (2024)

handle is hein.journals/aklr57 and id is 1 raw text is: SEEN, NOT HEARD: THE APPLICATION OF YOUNGER ABSTENTION IN CHILD WELFARE REFORM LITIGATION David Baloche* I. Introduction......................................................................1 II. The Younger Years............................................................7 A. Moore: More Than Child Welfare Proceedings ..........10 B. Sprint: Principles of Equity vs. the Categorical Approach to Younger ................................................12 III. The Younger Puzzle ........................................................16 A. Undue Interference....................................................17 1. Bifurcated Lens: Jonathan R ...............................21 2. Provision-by-Provision Analysis: Joseph A..........23 3. The Specter of Federalism: 31 Foster Children.....26 B. Ongoing State Proceedings........................................29 C. Quasi-Criminal.........................................................32 D. Important State Interest.............................................36 E. Adequate State Forum...............................................37 1. Individual Relief vs. Systemic Relief....................40 2. Younger vs. Standing ...........................................43 VI. Conclusion ......................................................................48 I. INTRODUCTION Federal courts are at an impasse. Should class action lawsuits brought by foster children against state child welfare agencies be dismissed under the Younger abstention doctrine developed in Younger v. Harris, 401 U.S. 37 (1971)? This question contains multitudes. Would the *J.D. Brooklyn Law School 2020. Staff Attorney at the civil rights non-profit, A Better Childhood. New York City Bar Association Civil Rights Committee, Member. New York City Bar Association Children and the Law Committee, Affiliate. All opinions are my own and do not represent the positions, strategies, or opinions of A Better Childhood or the New York City Bar Association. 1