vlog EIGHT NEWS AT SIX. A NEW PETITION IS ASKING IOWA ATTORNEY GENERAL BRENNA BIRD TO DROP OUT OF A FEDERAL LAWSUIT. IT WAS FILED OVER CHANGES TO SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT, MADE UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION. CRITICS ARE WORRIED THE LAWSUIT WOULD REPEAL SECTION 504 ALTOGETHER. BUT ATTORNEY GENERAL BYRD AND OTHER STATES FILED A STATUS REPORT WITH THE COURT, EMPHASIZING THEIR COMMITMENT TO DEFENDING SECTION 504. vlog SENIOR REPORTER TODD MAGEL SPOKE WITH THE MAN BEHIND THIS NEW PETITION. ATTORNEY GENERAL BRENNA BIRD OFFICE IS HERE AT THE HOOVER BUILDING, AND THIS IS WHERE THE SPECIAL PETITION WAS DELIVERED TO MAKE HER CHANGE HER MIND. MEET TOMMY ELIAS. SO YOU DO SPECIAL OLYMPICS AND WHAT EVENT DO YOU DO IN? WALKING. TOMMY AND HIS DAD, JIM, ARE ON AN IMPORTANT MISSION. TOMMY IS 27 AND HAS SPECIAL NEEDS. SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT MAKES SURE HE CAN WORK AT HIS JOB AT COME AND GO IN MUSCATINE. BUT NOW THERE IS FEAR 504 COULD BE IN JEOPARDY. FEELS LIKE THEY’RE MAKING POLITICAL HAY WITH IT. YOU KNOW, WITH THEIR WITH THEIR. PRETTY RIGHT WING AGENDA. IOWA ATTORNEY GENERAL BRENNA BIRD AND OTHER ATTORNEYS GENERAL SUED THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES LAST YEAR, SAYING SECTION 504 IS NOW UNCONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ADDED GENDER DYSPHORIA TO THE DEFINITION OF DISABILITY. THE LAWSUIT CLAIMS THAT CHANGE EXPOSES STATES TO THE LOSS OF FEDERAL FUNDING. ELIAS SAYS WITHOUT 504, PEOPLE LIKE HIS SON WOULD SUFFER. IF 504 PROTECTIONS AREN’T THERE AND THEY’RE NO LONGER REQUIRED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. YOU KNOW, THEY COULD QUIT BUILDING WHEELCHAIR RAMPS AND QUIT PROVIDING THESE THESE BASIC ACCOMMODATIONS THAT I THINK WE’VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO OVER 52 YEARS OF THIS LAW. IN A STATEMENT, BURT SAYS, QUOTE, WITH OUR LAWSUIT, NO. ONE, SECTION 504 PLANS ARE BEING CHANGED OR REMOVED. EVERY STUDENT WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THE TOOLS THEY NEED FOR SUCCESS. THERE’S BURLINGTON, CARROLL, CASCADE, CEDAR FALLS. ELIAS IS SKEPTICAL, WHICH IS WHY HE’S HANDING OVER THIS PETITION TO BURT. IT COMES WITH 1200 SIGNATURES AND THIS MESSAGE, IT LOOKS LIKE IT’S A FRIVOLOUS LAWSUIT. I’M NOT A LAWYER, SO. BUT THAT’S WHAT IT FEELS LIKE. SO I WOULD ASK HER, RESPECTIVELY, RESPECTFULLY, TO JUST DROP OUT THE 504 LAWSUIT IS SUSPENDED RIGHT NOW, AND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS TAKING ANOTHER LOOK AT THE RULE IN DES MOINES. TODD MAGEL vlog EIGHT NEWS. IOWA’S NEWS LEADER. ATTORNEY GENERAL BERNE RELEASED A NEW STATEMENT TODAY SAYING SECTION 504 IS AN IMPORTANT LAW THAT GIVES KIDS WITH DISABILITIES THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO SUCCEED. SHE ADDED, QUOTE, WHAT THE STATES ARE CHALLENGING IS AN ILLEGAL BIDEN-HARRIS MANDATE THAT MANIPULATES THIS DISABILITIES LAW TO FORCE BOYS INTO GIRLS RESTROOMS. NO SCHOOL OR DISABILITIES PROGRAM SHOULD HAVE TO FOLLOW A TRANSGENDER MANDATE O
Iowa attorney general urged to drop lawsuit over disability rights changes
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Updated: 6:37 PM CDT Mar 27, 2025
A petition with 1,200 signatures has been delivered to Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, urging her to withdraw from a federal lawsuit challenging changes to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.The lawsuit, filed last year by Bird and other attorneys general, contests the Biden administration's addition of gender dysphoria to the definition of disability under Section 504, which guarantees certain rights to people with disabilities. The lawsuit claims this change could lead to states losing federal funding.Tommy Elias, a 27-year-old with special needs, and his father, Jim Elias, are advocating against the lawsuit. They believe Section 504 helped Tommy secure his job at Kum & Go in Muscatine and fear the lawsuit could jeopardize these protections."If 504 protections aren't there and they're no longer required by the federal government, you know, they could quit building wheelchair ramps and quit providing these basic accommodations that I think we've grown accustomed to over 52 years of this law,"Jim Elias said. Critics worry the lawsuit could lead to the repeal of Section 504 altogether. However, Bird and the other states have filed a status report with the court, emphasizing their commitment to defending Section 504.In a statement, Bird says, "With our lawsuit, no one's Section 504 plans are being changed or removed. Every student will continue to have the tools they need for success." Despite Bird's assurances, Jim Elias remains skeptical, which is why he is delivering the petition to Bird's office in the Hoover Building. The petition includes 1,200 signatures and a message urging Bird to reconsider her stance.The 504 lawsuit is currently suspended due to the change in administration, with the Trump administration reviewing the rule.» Subscribe to vlog's YouTube page» Download the free vlog app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
DES MOINES, Iowa — A petition with 1,200 signatures has been delivered to Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, urging her to withdraw from a federal lawsuit challenging changes to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
The lawsuit, filed last year by Bird and other attorneys general, contests the Biden administration's addition of gender dysphoria to the definition of disability under Section 504, which guarantees certain rights to people with disabilities. The lawsuit claims this change could lead to states losing federal funding.
Tommy Elias, a 27-year-old with special needs, and his father, Jim Elias, are advocating against the lawsuit. They believe Section 504 helped Tommy secure his job at Kum & Go in Muscatine and fear the lawsuit could jeopardize these protections.
"If 504 protections aren't there and they're no longer required by the federal government, you know, they could quit building wheelchair ramps and quit providing these basic accommodations that I think we've grown accustomed to over 52 years of this law,"
Jim Elias said.
Critics worry the lawsuit could lead to the repeal of Section 504 altogether. However, Bird and the other states have filed a status report with the court, emphasizing their commitment to defending Section 504.
In a statement, Bird says, "With our lawsuit, no one's Section 504 plans are being changed or removed. Every student will continue to have the tools they need for success."
Despite Bird's assurances, Jim Elias remains skeptical, which is why he is delivering the petition to Bird's office in the Hoover Building. The petition includes 1,200 signatures and a message urging Bird to reconsider her stance.
The 504 lawsuit is currently suspended due to the change in administration, with the Trump administration reviewing the rule.
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