NAD COO Kelby Brick, Esq., Update on 17 States’ Attacks on Section 504

Summary: NAD Chief Operating Officer Kelby Brick provides an update on the attack on Section 504 by 17 State Attorney Generals, with successful advocacy by the community.

This is an update from: https://www.nad.org/2025/02/14/nad-coo-kelby-brick-esq-discusses-recent-attacks-on-section-504/

February 20, 2025 

Visual Description:

Black backdrop. White presenting middle aged man with a bald head and a salt-pepper beard wearing a light purple collared shirt.

English Translation:

UPDATE: Texas v. Becerra

Hi! Last week, I told you all about the Texas v. Becerra case, where 17 states asked a federal judge to declare Section 504 of the Rehab Act unconstitutional.  We asked you to contact your state attorneys general to tell them to drop the case and to protect Section 504.

I wanted to give you an update! You all did make a difference! 

Yesterday, the 17 states in conjunction with the US Department of Health and Human Services filed a joint status report to the court. This means they wrote a letter to the judge to update about what is happening with the case and when/how it will proceed. The government asked the judge for more time to decide how to proceed in light of the president’s executive order about “gender ideology”. 

And here is the big win: due to tremendous pressure from our community, the Attorney Generals told the judge that they are NOT asking for Section 504 to be declared unconstitutional! 

Wow! You caused them to backtrack! Your efforts made a difference!

But, we should still remain vigilant. Please understand that the states are backtracking and disclaiming what they originally filed. We will continue to monitor their actions closely to ensure that they don’t go back to what they originally filed.  Congratulations and good job!  THANK YOU! We will continue to keep you posted!   Together in unity, we make a lasting impact.