Motion to Strike Portions of Plaintiffs’ Complaint
25CV018904: DOE, et al. vs BHC SIERRA VISTA HOSPITAL, INC., A TENNESSEE CORPORATION, et al. 07/14/2026 Hearing on Motion to Strike Portions of Plaintiffs' Complaint in Department 16C
Tentative Ruling
Defendant BHC Sierra Vista Hospital, Inc.s (Sierra Vista) motion to strike portions of Plaintiffs complaint is DENIED as follows.
Overview
In this action, seven Doe Plaintiffs (Plaintiffs) allege that they were sexually abused, harassed, and molested when they were minors while they were patients at Sierra Vista, which is a behavioral health facility. Plaintiffs allege that co-defendants Universal Health Services, Inc. and UHS of Delaware, Inc. (collectively, UHS) own Sierra Vista.[1] Plaintiffs allege that they were abused by Defendants staff members.
UHS joinder to the motion to strike is GRANTED.
Defendants move to strike portions of Plaintiffs Complaint. (Not. of Mot. & Mot. 2:2-4.) Sierra Vistas Notice of Motion states in its entirety:
Please take notice that on July 14, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. . ., [Sierra Vista] will and hereby does move to strike portions of Plaintiffs Complaint.
[Sierra Vistas] motion is based on the supporting Memorandum of Points and Authorities and Declaration of Benjamin J. Lewis filed herewith, the pleadings on file in this matter, any oral argument to be presented at the hearing on the motion, the complete files and records in this action, and any other materials that may be properly submitted to the Court at or before the hearing.
(Id. at 2:2-8.)
This notice fails to comply with the requirements of California Rules of Court, rules 3.1110 and 3.1322, and Code of Civil Procedure section 1010.
California Rules of Court, rule (CRC) 3.110(a) requires [a] notice of motion [to] state in the opening paragraph the nature of the order being sought and the grounds for issuance of the order. Code of Civil Procedure section 1010 similarly requires a notice of motion to state the grounds upon which it will be made.
25CV018904: DOE, et al. vs BHC SIERRA VISTA HOSPITAL, INC., A TENNESSEE CORPORATION, et al. 07/14/2026 Hearing on Motion to Strike Portions of Plaintiffs' Complaint in Department 16C
CRC 3.1322, which specifically concerns motions to strike, additionally requires [a] notice of motion to strike a portion of a pleading must quote in full the portions sought to be stricken except where the motion to strike an entire paragraph, cause of action, count, or defense.
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Sierra Vistas notice fails to satisfy all of these requirements. It neither specifies the portions of the complaint that Defendants wish the Court to strike, nor states the grounds for the request.
For the stated reasons, the motion is denied.
This minute order is effective immediately. No formal order or other notice is required. (Code Civ. Proc. §1019.5; CRC Rule 3.1312.)
Moving counsels notice of motion does not provide notice of the Courts tentative ruling system, as required by Local Rule 1.06. Moving counsel is directed to contact Plaintiffs counsel and UHS counsel and advise counsel of Local Rule 1.06 and the Courts tentative ruling procedure and the manner to request a hearing. If moving counsel is unable to contact Plaintiffs counsel and UHS counsel prior to hearing, moving counsel is ordered to appear at the hearing.
NOTICE:
Consistent with Local Rule 1.06(B), any party requesting oral argument on any matter on this calendar must comply with the following procedure:
To request limited oral argument, on any matter on this calendar, you must call the Department 16C Oral Argument Request Line at (916) 874-1475 by 4:00 p.m. the Court day before the hearing and advise opposing counsel. At the time of requesting oral argument, the requesting party shall leave a voice mail message: a) identifying themselves as the party requesting oral argument; b) indicating the specific matter/motion for which they are requesting oral argument; and c) confirming that it has notified the opposing party of its intention to appear and that opposing party may appear via Zoom using the Zoom link and Meeting ID indicated below.
If no request for oral argument is made, the tentative ruling becomes the final order of the Court. Unless ordered to appear in person by the Court, parties may appear remotely either telephonically or by video conference via the Zoom video/audio conference platform with notice to the Court and all other parties in accordance with Code of Civil Procedure §367.75. Although remote participation is not required, the Court will presume all parties are appearing remotely for non-evidentiary civil hearings.
The Department 16C Zoom Link is https://saccourt-ca-gov.zoomgov.com/j/16030877014 and the Zoom Meeting ID is 160 3087 7014. To appear on Zoom telephonically, call (833) 568-8864 and enter the Zoom Meeting ID referenced above. NO COURTCALL APPEARANCES WILL BE
SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SACRAMENTO
25CV018904: DOE, et al. vs BHC SIERRA VISTA HOSPITAL, INC., A TENNESSEE CORPORATION, et al. 07/14/2026 Hearing on Motion to Strike Portions of Plaintiffs' Complaint in Department 16C
ACCEPTED.
Parties requesting services of a court reporter will need to arrange for private court reporter services at their own expense, pursuant to Government code §68086 and California Rules of Court, Rule 2.956. Requirements for requesting a court reporter are listed on the Court Reporter Services webpage available on the Sacramento Superior Court website at https://saccourt.ca.gov/general-information/court-reporter-services-transcripts. Parties may contact Court- Approved Official Reporters Pro Tempore by utilizing the list of Court Approved Official Reporters Pro Tempore available at https://saccourt.ca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/227/639084034465370000.
A Stipulation and Appointment of Official Reporter Pro Tempore (CV/E-206) is required to be signed by each party, the private court reporter, and the Judge prior to the hearing, if not using a reporter from the Courts Approved Official Reporter Pro Tempore list.
Once the form is signed it must be filed with the clerk. If a litigant has been granted a fee waiver and requests a court reporter, the party must submit a Request for Court Reporter by a Party with a Fee Waiver (CV/E-211) and it must be filed with the clerk at least 10 days prior to the hearing or at the time the proceeding is scheduled if less than 10 days away. Once approved, the clerk will forward the form to the Court Reporters Office and an official reporter will be provided.
[1] Sierra Vista and UHS are collectively referred to herein as Defendants.