“I can’t even imagine that we might have to go back to a world like that.”
Today, the #TexasVBecerra lawsuit and the fight to #Protect504 is featured in the @washingtonpost.com:
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Hashtag
#TexasvBecerra
Advertisement · 728 × 90
substack.com/@smallsharkm...
#activism #section504 #humanrights #atlanta #america #usa #apathy #disabled #disability #petition #chriscarr #personalessay #essay #texasvbecerra #standupfightback #fightfor504+
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Fight for 504+ has a petition up demanding chris carr withdraw from texas v becerra: chng.it/rZh4B5rVwS
Plz sign & share to fellow georgians!
#disability #section504 #transrights #humanrights #disabledrights #georgia #atlanta #petition #chriscarr #texasvbecerra
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The Trump admin is coming for disability rights. Section 504 has protected disabled people for 50 years—now it’s under attack. If they succeed, accessibility, education, & jobs will be gutted. This is a crisis. Pay attention.
#Section504 #TexasvBecerra #DisabilityRights #Disability
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A graphic design featuring the words "DISABILITY RIGHTS" in large, bold, teal-colored capital letters on a textured off-white background. Below the text, there is a black-and-white image of a confident woman with long wavy hair, wearing a sleeveless, textured black top, sitting at a table with her hands resting on the surface. To the left of her image, there is a disability rights symbol of a raised fist with a wheelchair accessibility icon, accompanied by the words "ACCESS FOR ALL." On the right side, a megaphone graphic appears next to the text "Calling All Advocates." At the bottom, "DISABILITY RIGHTS" is curved along a circular shape, reinforcing the advocacy theme.
🚨 CALLING ALL TEXAS DISABILITY RIGHTS ADVOCATES! 🚨 See Comments
#DisabilityRights #TexasAdvocates #Protect504 #TexasvBecerra #AccessForAll #StandUpForRights #ADA #DisabilityJustice
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For more ways to fight back against #TexasVBecerra, see @dredf.bsky.social’s excellent article on its potential impacts. dredf.org/protect-504/
#DREDF #DisabilityRights
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More about the suit, #TexasvBecerra
www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/defaul...
#SaveSection504 #PeopleWithDisabilities
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Any misunderstanding created by the content in the community briefing should not be attributed to those organizations. We apologize for the harm caused.
We will keep fighting together so that this lawsuit is dismissed. #TexasVBecerra #Protect504
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Text reads "On Wednesday, February 19, a Joint Status Report was filed by the 17 states and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The report does not change anything about the case. Although several Attorneys General told stakeholders that the lawsuit would be dropped or that their state would withdraw from it, all 17 states made clear in the filing that they will continue to pursue all of their original claims that Section 504 itself is unconstitutional. "
Text reads "The AGs also reiterated that they will continue to challenge portions of the regulations related to community integration and Olmstead, which require states to provide services in the “most integrated setting.” The integration regulation protects our right to participate in our community with supports instead of being segregated in institutions or separate classrooms."
Text reads "No state Attorney General has withdrawn from the lawsuit at this time. We urge advocates in the 17 states to continue to contact their AG to ask them to drop the case to continue the campaign to protect Section 504."
#TexasVBecerra Case Update: No state Attorney General has withdrawn from the lawsuit at this time. We urge advocates in the 17 states to continue to contact their AG to ask them to drop the case to continue the campaign to #Protect504
More info: dredf.org/wp-content/u...
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![Case 5:24-cv-00225-H
Document 52
Filed 02/20/25
Page 1 of 1
PageID 26047
United States District Court
Northern District of Texas
Lubbock Division
State of Texas, et al.,
Plaintiffs,
v.
Xavier Becerra, In His Official Capacity as Secretary of Health and Human Services, et al.,
Defendants
Order
Before the Court is the parties’ Joint Status Report. Dkt. No. 50. In the report, the parties state that the “[d]efendants continue to evaluate their position in light of the President’s recent Executive Order,” and they “ask that the Court not disturb the current stay of briefing deadlines.” Id. at 2.
The Court agrees. The briefing schedule will remain stayed. The parties are ordered to file another Joint Status Report no later than April 21, 2025.
So ordered on February 20, 2025.
James Wesley Hendrix
United States District Judge](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6pjsxq4f4wvihelm4lphbk5e/bafkreibt7btdkjr5tvxqdev3fngyvxcp7u3xtfbkyjh53ophmfyukyy544)
Case 5:24-cv-00225-H Document 52 Filed 02/20/25 Page 1 of 1 PageID 26047 United States District Court Northern District of Texas Lubbock Division State of Texas, et al., Plaintiffs, v. Xavier Becerra, In His Official Capacity as Secretary of Health and Human Services, et al., Defendants Order Before the Court is the parties’ Joint Status Report. Dkt. No. 50. In the report, the parties state that the “[d]efendants continue to evaluate their position in light of the President’s recent Executive Order,” and they “ask that the Court not disturb the current stay of briefing deadlines.” Id. at 2. The Court agrees. The briefing schedule will remain stayed. The parties are ordered to file another Joint Status Report no later than April 21, 2025. So ordered on February 20, 2025. James Wesley Hendrix United States District Judge
🟡 Small #TexasVBecerra update
Plaintiffs "continue to evaluate" and next status report due by 4/21/25.
Link to pictured doc, filed 2/20/25:
www.courtlistener.com/docket/69200...
Link to joint status report, filed 2/19/25:
www.courtlistener.com/docket/69200...
#Section504 #ProtectSection504
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Call your AG now! Even if you’re not in a state that has signed on to this suit let your AG know that they must do everything they can to defend Section 504 for all US citizens.
#section504 #disabilityrights #texasvbecerra #protect504
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DREDF Releases Disability Community Briefing Recording:
DREDF hosted a webinar with 3,000 attendees February 12, 2025 to discuss Texas v. Becerra. The recording, transcript, & slides are now available.
semanticfish.net/dredf-releas...
#TexasVBecerra #Section504
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Hoping to get some posts up on this today.
1. A brief "explainer" with links where folks can read the federal register & code of federal regulations themselves.
2. Documenting where AGs say "that's not what it says" when it is what the suit's complaint says.
#TexasVBecerra #Section504
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Checked Arkansas AG Tim Griffin's ExTwitter posts and that's where he shared his updated statement. Feb 13, 2025 at 5:42pm ET.
Here's an archive link to the news release:
archive.today/XAFuP
#TexasVBecerra #Section504
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@drmorganbeidleman Texas v. Becerra is a lawsuit brought by 17 state Attorney Generals. It asks the courts to “declare section 504 unconstitutional.” 1.6 million kids with disabilities only have protections with 504 plans under Section 504. These plans provide a wide range of accommodations to kids who need them. These protections are used by neurodivergent kids, kids with physical differences, kids with congenital conditions, kids with allergies/asthma, and kids battling diseases like cancer to ensure that they can be safe and successful at school. If you live in one of the 17 states participating in this lawsuit you can use the contact information above to call your attorney general. If you do not live in one of these 17 states, you can help by spreading the word! #neurodivergent #specialeducation #specialneedsfamily #specialneedsparent #adhdkids #autistickids #504plan #learningdisabilities
Lawsuit Aims to Eliminate 504 Protections What is Section 504? Section 504 is a 50-year-old law protecting people with disabilities. It says groups that get money from the US government can't discriminate against people with disabilities. This includes in schools, workplaces, doctors offices, and hospitals. 1.6 million kids with disabilities are only protected under Section 504. These protections, cálled 504 plans, would not exist without Section 504. What is the lawsuit? The Attorney Generals of 17 states have brought a lawsuit called Texas v. Becerra. The suit asks the courts to "declare section 504 unconstitutional." What can I do? If you live in one of these 17 states and want to voice your concerns, call your state Attorney General and urge them to drop out of the suit immediately. If you don't help spread the word to people who do.
Lawsuit Aims to Eliminate 504 Protections Contact Information Alaska- Treg Taylor (907) 269-5100 Alabama- Steve Marshall (334) 242-7300 Arkansas- Tim Griffin (501) 682-2007 or (800) 482-8982 Florida-John Guard (866) 966-7226 or (850) 414-3300 Georgia- Chris Carr (404) 458-3600 Indiana- Todd Rokita (317) 232-6201 lowa- Brenna Bird (515) 281-5164 Kansas- Kris Kobach (785) 296-2215 Louisiana- Liz Murrill (225) 326-6079 or (877) 297-0995 Missouri- Andrew Bailey (573) 751-3321 Montana- Austen Knudsen (406) 444-2026 Nebraska- Mike Hilgers (402) 471-2683 South Carolina- Alan Wilson (803) 734-3970 South Dakota- Marty Jackley (605) 773-3215 Texas- Ken Paxton (512) 463-2100 Utah- Derek Brown (801) 366-0260 West Virginia-John B. McCuskey 304-558-2021
Lawsuit Aims to Eliminate 504 Protections Sample Script Hello, My name is (your name). I live in (city & state). My child (grandchild, nephew, sister, neighbor, etc.) has a disability and receives 504 protections at school (work, the doctor, etc.) I urge you to drop out of the Texas v. Becerra 504 lawsuit immediately. People with disabilities deserve the constitutional protections that they have had for the last 50 years. Thank you, (your name)
www.instagram.com/drmorganbeidleman
#TexasvBecerra #Section504 #neurodivergent #specialeducation #specialneedsfamily #specialneedsparent #adhdkids #autistickids #504plan #learningdisabilities
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Arkansas AG Tim Griffin has a longer statement (unsure exact time shared):
arkansasag.gov/wp-content/u...
My opinion: these people are not good at using precise language.
You can’t say the lawsuit doesn’t ask for something that it clearly, legibly, accessibly asks for.
#TexasVBecerra #Section504
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South Carolina AG Alan Wilson to withdraw from Texas v. Becerra.
The response comes after the South Carolina Attorney General's Office was 'flooded' with calls and emails against the complaint.
Published: Feb 13, 2025
semanticfish.net/sc-ag-alan-w...
#TexasVBecerra #Section504
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The Group of States Suing to Overturn Section 504
On the 51st anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 17 states sued the US government to overturn Section 504.
Published: Feb 12, 2025
semanticfish.net/states-suing...
#TexasVBecerra #Section504
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3-paragraph snippet from the linked article with the last paragraph highlighted. An executive order last month from President Donald Trump saying agencies must remove all policies that "inculcate" ideology around gender dysphoria has made the lawsuit unnecessary, Wilson spokesman Robert Kittle told The Post and Courier by email on Feb. 13. Gender dysphoria is the distress individuals feel when their gender identity is different from the sex they were assigned at birth, according to the American Psychiatric Association. "We’re talking to other states, and we expect the lawsuit to be withdrawn," Kittle wrote. "But if for some reason it’s not, Attorney General Wilson will withdraw from it."
South Carolina AG Alan Wilson will withdraw from #TexasVBecerra if the lawsuit is not withdrawn, reports The Post and Courier.
South Carolina is one of 17 states listed in the lawsuit that, in part, aims to declare #Section504 unconstitutional.
The Post and Courier, archive link:
archive.ph/YtXrq
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Side-by-side of AG Tim Griffin's post described above and its HTML. The <img /> element for the post has alt="Image", the default value.
It does not escape me that AG Tim Griffin's post about #TexasVBecerra, claiming it does not attack #Section504, does not have alternative text on the image posted with the long body of text.
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AG Tim Griffin's post, described in previous replies. At the top is a purple arrow pointing to the text "Attorney General Andrew Bailey reposted".
Missouri AG Andrew Bailey reposted AG Tim Griffin's post. The State of Missouri is one of 17 in #TexasVBecerra suing to declare #Section504 unconstitutional.
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Demand for Relief Plaintiffs respectfully request that the Court: a. Issue permanent injunctive relief against Defendants enjoining them from enforcing the Final Rule; b. Declare that the Final Rule violates the Administrative Procedure Act; c. Hold unlawful and set aside (i.e., vacate) the Final Rule; d. Declare Section 504, 29 U.S.C. § 794, unconstitutional; e. Issue permanent injunctive relief against Defendants enjoining them from enforcing Section 504; f. Award attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in this action to Plaintiffs; g. Issue any and all other relief to Plaintiffs the Court deems just and proper.
Here's the "Demand for Relief" section of the #TexasVBecerra complaint, located on page 42.
Item d reiterates what written for Count 3: for #Section504 to be declared unconstitutional.
Internet Archive link to the complaint:
ia600802.us.archive.org/3/items/gov....
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![Count 3
Section 504 is Unconstitutional
U.S. Const., art. I, § 8, cl. 1.
221. All other allegations are repeated and realleged as if fully set forth herein.
222. Under the Rehabilitation Act, “no otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States . . . shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” 29 U.S.C. § 794(a).
223. The Rehabilitation Act, by its own terms, applies to all recipients of federal funds, both funds disbursed under the Act’s funding mandates and any unrelated federal spending.
224. The Rehabilitation Act therefore imposes a condition on the receipt of any and all federal money. Recipients must choose between compliance with the Act and use of any federal revenue.
225. The Spending Clause grants Congress the power to “pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States.” U.S. Const., art. I, § 8, cl. 1.
226. When Congress exercises its spending power, principles of federalism require that conditions on federal expenditures must be (1) “unambiguous[]” so that States are able to “exercise their choice knowingly, cognizant of the consequences of their participation,” (2) related to the “federal interest in the project,” (3) spending must not “induce the States to engage in activities that would themselves be unconstitutional,” and (4) spending must not “be so coercive as to pass the point at which ‘pressure turns into compulsion.’” South Dakota v. Dole, 483...](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6pjsxq4f4wvihelm4lphbk5e/bafkreidmpfptvdd7mchk3bytlmttahgk6axajqw7ziwyltda54goaxdnmi)
Count 3 Section 504 is Unconstitutional U.S. Const., art. I, § 8, cl. 1. 221. All other allegations are repeated and realleged as if fully set forth herein. 222. Under the Rehabilitation Act, “no otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States . . . shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” 29 U.S.C. § 794(a). 223. The Rehabilitation Act, by its own terms, applies to all recipients of federal funds, both funds disbursed under the Act’s funding mandates and any unrelated federal spending. 224. The Rehabilitation Act therefore imposes a condition on the receipt of any and all federal money. Recipients must choose between compliance with the Act and use of any federal revenue. 225. The Spending Clause grants Congress the power to “pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States.” U.S. Const., art. I, § 8, cl. 1. 226. When Congress exercises its spending power, principles of federalism require that conditions on federal expenditures must be (1) “unambiguous[]” so that States are able to “exercise their choice knowingly, cognizant of the consequences of their participation,” (2) related to the “federal interest in the project,” (3) spending must not “induce the States to engage in activities that would themselves be unconstitutional,” and (4) spending must not “be so coercive as to pass the point at which ‘pressure turns into compulsion.’” South Dakota v. Dole, 483...
Here's the beginning of a section in the #TexasVBecerra complaint, starting on page 37, titled "Count 3 Section 504 is Unconstitutional."
Internet Archive link to the complaint:
ia600802.us.archive.org/3/items/gov....
#Section504
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AG Tim Griffin's post, part 1 of 4. There has been a lot of misinformation spread online about a lawsuit related to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Our lawsuit does NOT seek to eliminate Section 504. Instead, it challenges an unlawful Biden administration rule passed last year. Here are some helpful facts about the lawsuit: What is Section 504? - Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (1) prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in federally funded programs and (2) requires employers to reasonably accommodate disabilities. - States have to comply with Section 504 or the federal government can withdraw federal funds—like K-12 school funds, Medicaid dollars, etc. - Federal law says that “gender identity disorders” are not disabilities under Section 504 or under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
AG Tim Griffin's post, part 2 of 4. What prompted the lawsuit? - In May 2024, the Biden administration’s Department of Health and Human Services issued a rule that—contrary to federal law—includes “gender dysphoria” as a disability under HHS regulations. - The rule’s gender mandate could require schools and universities to allow boys to use the girls’ bathrooms and showers, even to live in girls’ dormitories; require schools and universities to allow males to compete in girls’ and women’s sports; and require teachers and students to use wrong-sex pronouns. - If states do not comply with the HHS rule’s gender mandate, the Biden administration’s rule would jeopardize their federal funding.
AG Tim Griffin's post, part 3 of 4. What is the lawsuit trying to do? - 17 state attorneys general, including our office, sued to block Biden’s illegal HHS rule. - The lawsuit does NOT seek to end Section 504’s disability protection for anyone covered under that statute. It simply seeks to overturn Biden’s unlawful gender mandate. - The lawsuit states that Section 504 did not allow the Biden administration to impose this gender mandate on the threat of taking away states’ federal funding. - If the states win this lawsuit, no one’s disability accommodations would be taken away—the regulations would go back to what they were before May 2024. What is the current status of the lawsuit? - Currently, the lawsuit has been stayed while the Trump administration reconsiders the rule. You can read a copy of the lawsuit here: https://tinyurl.com/2d89krz3 #arnews
AG Tim Griffin's post, part 4 of 4, which contains an image. You can read a copy of the lawsuit here: https://tinyurl.com/2d89krz3 #arnews The image shows Tim Griffin speaking at a podium with a quote overlaid: "There has been a lot of misinformation spread online about a lawsuit related to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Our lawsuit does not seek to eliminate Section 504."
Many who've contacted AGs in the #TexasVBecerra complaint report getting responses like this one.
Arkansas AG Tim Griffin posted Feb 12, 2025, saying it "does not seek to eliminate #Section504."
It begs the question: Has he read it? It asks for #Section504 to be declared unconstitutional.
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Those of us advocates for our developmentally disabled family and friends are thrilled to have to worry they might be losing all their rights very soon.
Thanks so much, maga.
#lesson #howto #resist #texasvbecerra
dredf.org/protect-504/
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Section 504 of the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) is under fire! Make your voice heard!
#DisabilityRights #Section504 #ADA #TexasVBecerra #PeopleWithDisabilities
dredf.org/protect-504/...
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I made a video explaining that disabled people's rights are under attack in #TexasvBecerra and asked my family in Florida to post it on their Facebook.
My dad just reported that the AG's office said they're receiving many calls about the lawsuit.
It's working. Let's keep the pressure on.
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