Ronald F. v. Department of Developmental Services

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The trial court denied appellant's petition for writ of administrative mandamus seeking to overturn the denial of his claim for services under the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (Lanterman Act), Welf. & Inst. Code, 4500 et seq. The trial court denied the petition based on the doctrine of res judicata because his ineligibility for services had been previously adjudicated in two prior proceedings. The court agreed, and rejected appellant's claim that res judicata does not apply because the court’s decision in Samantha C. v. State Dept. of Developmental Services and a 2003 amendment to the Lanterman Act constitute an intervening change in the law or a doctrinal change that precludes application of the doctrine. In this case, the court concluded that neither the Samantha C. decision nor the 2003 amendment to section 4512 bars application of res judicata. Accordingly, the court affirmed the judgment. View "Ronald F. v. Department of Developmental Services" on Justia Law