Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen joins Texas v. Becerra Lawsuit With Intent to Declare Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act Unconstitutional

From NFB Montana Affiliate President, Jim Marks:

There are times when a government action is so egregious, we have to act.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen committed Montana to a Texas lawsuit that threatens our fundamental civil rights.  Please e-mail or call Attorney General Knudsen to insist that Montana withdraws from the lawsuit.

Texas v. Becerra is a lawsuit that could repeal Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  504 prohibits disability discrimination by entities that get federal funding.  It’s the fundamental civil rights law that allows Montanans with disabilities to live the lives we want free of illegal disability discrimination.  Unchecked, Attorney General Knudsen intends to take these rights away from us.  He committed Montana to be part of the lawsuit, and we want Montana to withdraw.  We cannot let this attack on our civil rights happen for our own sakes and for those who come behind us.

Attached is a template you may use for your letters, e-mail, or telephone calls to Attorney General Knudsen.  It contains Attorney General Knudsen’s contact information, including his telephone number and e-mail.  Please feel free to make the template your own by adding elements such as the following:

. 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 for example public transit . How you read medical information and used a medical portal at a doctor’s appointment and were able to talk to your doctor.

. Say why Texas v. Becerra is bad. If the court agrees with the states bringing the lawsuit, people with disabilities will lose civil rights. These rights

 Thank you for taking action.  Please feel free to forward this call to action to others.  We need as many Montanans as we can asking Knudsen to back off this travesty..

Sample text for an email to Attorney General Knudsen:

Attorney General Austin Knudsen

Department of Justice

P.O. Box 201401

Helena, MT 59620-1401

(406) 444-2026

contactdoj@mt.gov

Dear Attorney General Knudsen,

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a cornerstone of disability rights, ensuring that Montanans with disabilities have equal access to education, employment, healthcare, and public services. For over 50 years, this law prohibited discrimination based on disability in federally funded programs, allowing individuals to participate fully in society. Without these protections, Montanans with disabilities would face systemic barriers that limit our opportunities, independence, and quality of life. Section 504 is essential in maintaining a fair and just society where all individuals have the right to thrive. The Texas v. Becerra case threatens to dismantle these long-standing protections. If the court sides with the states challenging Section 504, people with disabilities could lose critical civil rights that have safeguarded them for decades. Schools, hospitals, and other federally funded institutions might no longer be required to provide necessary accommodations, leaving thousands of Montanans vulnerable to discrimination and exclusion. It is for this reason I ask you to withdraw from the lawsuit and therein uphold the rights of all Montanans,

Sincerely.

Your name

Montana Attorney General’s Office Contact Information

Attorney General Austin Knudsen

Department of Justice

P.O. Box 201401

Helena, MT 59620-1401

(406) 444-2026

contactdoj@mt.gov