The Hannah's Gift Briefing
Texas v. Kennedy Abandons Federal Commitment to Community Integration
A federal judge has vacated the community integration provisions of HHS's 2024 Section 504 rule nationwide, following a joint agreement between the DOJ and five states. The ruling removes federal guidance directing states to support disabled people in community rather than institutional settings, though underlying laws—Section 504, the ADA, and the Olmstead decision—remain in effect. The Defend Community Integration Coalition is calling on state legislatures to codify community integration rights in state law.
What this means for families: Core legal protections against forced institutionalization remain, but families should monitor state-level policy and advocacy efforts closely.