In September 2024, 17 states, including Montana, filed a court case in a Texas federal district court against the United States government that challenges the federal government’s authority to enforce Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The states want to get rid of Section 504, an important civil rights law for people with disabilities. The court case is Texas v. Becerra (2024).
Section 504 is an important law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination in programs that receive federal funding. Section 504 states that places like schools, hospitals, and doctors’ offices can’t discriminate if they get money from the United States government.
If the court rules in favor of the states bringing the lawsuit, it would be very damaging to the disability community and critical protections for people with disabilities could be stripped away in many areas, including:
- Education: Students with disabilities could lose reasonable accommodations in public schools and universities.
- Healthcare: Medical providers that receive federal funds might no longer be required to ensure equal access for patients with disabilities.
- Public Services: Transportation systems, housing programs, and other services could reduce accessibility, making it harder for people with disabilities to live independently.
For more information, you may check out the following links:
We need your help to save Section 504. If we lose Section 504, other civil rights laws could be in jeopardy too.
Take Action and Tell Montana’s State Attorney General to Stop Attacking Section 504
As this case makes its way through the courts, disability advocacy groups, including Centers for Independent Living, the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), and others are urging people to take action by asking their state leaders to withdraw from the lawsuit.
- Say who you are. Say your name or the name of your group. Say where you live. If you want, you can say what your disability is.
- Say why you support Section 504 and its rules. Talk about why Section 504 is important to you. Section 504 and its rules make sure people with disabilities can be included in schools, see their doctor, and have access to things like housing and transportation.
- Include personal details. You can tell a personal story about why Section 504 matters to you. Some stories that might be helpful to include are:
- How a 504 Plan helped you be included in school as a child or young adult. How a 504 Plan allows your child to participate in school.
- How a reasonable accommodation helped you gain or maintain employment.
- How your needs are met in a community integrated setting.
- How you got an interpreter at a doctor’s appointment and were able to talk to your doctor.
- Say why Texas v. Becerra is a threat to your civil rights. If the court agrees with the states bringing the lawsuit, people with disabilities will lose civil rights. These rights have protected people with disabilities for over 50 years.
- Tell Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen to drop out of the case. Send a message to Montana Attorney General Knudsen to ask him to stop attacking Section 504 and pull out of the lawsuit. Please use the following contact information to send emails, letters, or even make phone calls.
Contact Information for Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen:
- Email: contactdoj@mt.gov
- Address: P.O. Box 201401, Helena, MT 59620-1401
- Phone: (406) 444-2026
- Montana’s DOJ Website Contact Page