Care standards for people with developmental disabilities reached a critical juncture on August 30, 1972. On that day, Richard Welsch filed a complaint with federal courts criticizing the physical condition, care, treatment and training residents received at Minnesota's regional treatment centers.

Welsch, whose daughter had lived at Cambridge State Hospital since she was seven years old, alleged that conditions at the facility and the treatment provided did not meet constitutional standards of due process. Attorney Neil Mickenberg led the class action suit.