PHILADELPHIA — Medical facilities have filed a lawsuit against Bristol Township public officials, citing alleged disability discrimination.
Grace Land Il LLC and New Freedom Behavioral Health LLC, dba Daybreak Treatment Solutions, on its behalf and on behalf of its patients, filed a complaint on Dec. 14 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Bristol Township, Craig Bowen, William J. McCauley III, Thomas Scott and the Bristol Township Zoning Hearing Board for alleged violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
According to the complaint, plaintiffs sought permit from defendants for Daybreak Treatment to allow them to provide medically supervised and licensed outpatient counseling treatment directed at rehabilitating persons living in the township and its surrounding area who require treatment for alcohol or drug dependency.
However, plaintiffs were denied their request as defendants refused to grant their permit based on alleged irrational prejudices against, and perceptions of, patients with drug and/or alcohol addictive disorders and is not rationally related to any legitimate government interest.
The plaintiffs allege the defendants refused to issue a by-right permit for operation of a medical office for the outpatient treatment of persons suffering from alcohol and drug addiction disorders at an existing commercially zoned property located in the township.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek permanent injunction, award of damages, attorney fees, costs, and such relief as the court may deem appropriate. They are represented by Pamela Tobin of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein PC in Bluebell.
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case No. is 2:18-cv-05413-JS.