ACLU Comment on Ruling in Disability Rights Guardianship Case

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it will transfer critical work to other federal agencies — an unprecedented move that undermines the department’s core mission and threatens students’ civil rights. This action represents a deliberate attempt to dismantle the agency from within, despite the fact that only Congress has authority over the department. “The Trump administration claims core education programs can be carried out elsewhere, yet it has offered no explanation for how agencies like Labor, Interior, Health and Human Services, or State will uphold the education access requirements Congress explicitly entrusted to the Department of Education,” said ReNika Moore, director, ACLU Racial Justice Program. “Federal law requires these programs to remain within the Department of Education, and transferring them through interagency agreements violates that mandate.” These offices, staffed by career professionals with deep knowledge of how to best serve students and educators, are responsible for administering K-12 and higher education programs, supporting Native students, and safeguarding the rights of students with disabilities. Although the plan calls for Labor to administer K-12 programs that are “better aligned with workforce and college programs,” it is silent concerning the continued administration of congressionally mandated funding programs for school districts to develop high quality curriculum, provide accommodations and services for children with disabilities, help children meet state academic content and performance standards, provide before- and after-school programs, reduce class sizes, improve graduation rates, expand the availability of pre-schools, provide mental health supports, implement language instruction to assist English learners, and provide education to migratory students. The removal of these critical offices from the department guts the structure Congress established in 1979 to guarantee that students, regardless of race, national origin, sex, or disability, receive fair and equitable opportunities to learn. “Secretary McMahon is violating laws that only Congress can change. By transferring these offices across agencies that lack the expertise to lead education policy, the administration is breaking the law, eliminating academic supports to close education achievement gaps, deliberately weakening civil rights oversight, and putting millions of students at risk,” said Kimberly Conway, ACLU senior policy counsel and former attorney advisor with Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. “Congress must immediately intervene to halt this unlawful restructuring, safeguard the integrity of the department’s civil rights and education offices, and demand that the department comply with the law and keep its central role in ensuring equal educational opportunity for every student.

CONCORD, N.H. — The federal court in New Hampshire today issued a preliminary injunction blocking, for almost all public school districts, a law banning diversity, equity, and inclusion programs pertaining to race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability in New Hampshire K-12 public schools and public and private universities. The court held that the plaintiffs are likely to succeed on their claims that the law violates due process and is contradicted by federal disability civil rights laws. The court explained: “The breadth of the anti-DEI laws’ prohibition is startling. The definition of ‘DEI’ contained therein is so far-reaching that it prohibits long-accepted—even legally required—teaching and administrative practices. It is hard to imagine how schools could continue to operate at even a basic level if the laws’ prohibitions were enforced to their full extent.” The anti-equity, anti-inclusion, and anti-diversity law in New Hampshire became effective on July 1, 2025 after being signed into law by Gov. Ayotte in late June. The groups who filed suit argue it radically contradicts federal civil rights laws that protect the rights of students with disabilities, violates the First Amendment rights of educators, and is unlawfully vague and ambiguous under the United States and New Hampshire Constitutions. The court recognized that it is impossible for schools to comply with both federal disability laws and the anti-DEI law, and that the state law is therefore unconstitutional. The court also observed that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) “requires conduct that the anti-DEI laws forbid: classifying students based on disability in order to improve outcomes for students with disabilities.” The law is already being enforced arbitrarily, as the court explained: “The incongruity in enforcing the anti-DEI laws against private colleges and universities supported by state-funded scholarships, but not private K-12 schools supported by EFAs, demonstrates that the laws permit or encourage arbitrary enforcement based on an enforcement authority’s subjective preferences.” Devon Chaffee, executive director of the ACLU of New Hampshire, said: “This court victory could not come at a more critical time. Students across New Hampshire have the right to an inclusive education and educators in our state should not be threatened with vague laws that restrict their ability to meet the needs of their students. By continuing to block this unconstitutional law, the court has made clear that all students in the Granite State deserve equitable pathways to learn and thrive.” The legal challenge was brought by the state’s largest educator union, National Education Association – New Hampshire (NEA-NH), four school districts (Oyster River Cooperative School District, the Dover School District, the Somersworth School District, and the Grantham School District), trainer and consultant for diversity, equity, and inclusion James M. McKim, Jr., diversity, equity, and inclusion administrator and psychology professor Dottie Morris, and New Hampshire Outright, a nonprofit that provides training in public schools and entities on creating environments of inclusion and belonging for LGBTQ+ students. Mr. McKim and Dr. Morris bring this case in their individual capacities. They are represented by lawyers from a broad coalition of organizations and law firms, including the ACLU of New Hampshire, the national American Civil Liberties Union’s Disability Rights Program and Racial Justice Program, National Education Association-New Hampshire (NEA-NH), GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law), and Drummond Woodsum & MacMahon. Megan Tuttle, president of NEA-New Hampshire, stated: “This ruling affirms what we’ve always known: every student in New Hampshire deserves access to a high-quality public education in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment. The anti-DEI language in HB 2 threatened that promise. Programs and instruction that reflect the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just educationally sound, in many cases, they are legally required. Yet the vague and confusing language buried in the state budget sought to censor educators and restrict our ability to meet the needs of all students, including those who rely on special education services. New Hampshire’s educators will continue to stand firmly against unconstitutional political interference in our classrooms because we are committed to ensuring every child receives an appropriate education based on their individual needs and feels safe, valued, and fully prepared for the bright future they deserve. That’s the New Hampshire way.” Heidi Carrington Heath, executive director of New Hampshire Outright, a plaintiff in the case, said: “The court’s decision to continue blocking this unjust law ensures that LGBTQ+ youth and their families can continue accessing safe school and community environments, fostered by well-respected, evidence-based training programs that many schools and public entities across the Granite State benefit from. Creating healthier and stronger environments for LGBTQ+ youth does so for everyone.” James T. McKim, Jr., a plaintiff in the case and who works regularly with state and local government bodies to improve operations, including through diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, said: “The continued block on this harmful law means that organizations (including educational institutions) can continue improving their performance by exploring how to obtain the proven benefits of equitably including diverse people and perspectives - and that helps every Granite Stater." “I thank the court for continuing to block this law so that educators may adequately serve every single one of their students and create school environments that support learners from diverse lived experiences,” said Dottie Morris, a college administrator focusing on belonging and psychology professor, who is a plaintiff in this case. She is bringing suit only in her individual capacity. Zoe Brennan-Krohn, director of the ACLU Disability Rights Program, said: “The court saw this law for what it is: an expansive and illegal attack on the rights of students. This decision affirms that all New Hampshire students have an equal right to education, and that the state cannot undermine federal protections for disabled students.” Hannah Hussey, staff attorney at GLAD Law, said,:“Today the Court recognized that HB 2 unlawfully prevents initiatives that ensure equal educational access for all New Hampshire students. It protects the ability of New Hampshire educators and educational institutions to effectively prepare our students to live, work, and contribute to our communities. This includes providing trusted educational programs to help students learn to navigate differences respectfully—a practical skill in our diverse world. HB 2’s vague bans on programs related to race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability wrongfully prohibit efforts to provide equal educational opportunity for female students, LGBTQ students, students of color, and students with disabilities. It disadvantages all students and undermines our values of freedom and opportunity for all.” Dr. Christine Boston, superintendent of Dover Public Schools, said: “The Dover School District is committed to providing individualized, inclusive, and equitable education, as mandated by local and state policies. However, HB2’s vague restrictions on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts—especially those that involve recognizing student demographics—raise concerns that the District’s practices could be misinterpreted as violations, potentially risking vital state and federal funding.” Dr. Robert Shaps, the superintendent of the Oyster River Cooperative School District (ORCSD), said: “We are grateful and relieved that Chief Judge Landya B. McCafferty issued an injunction blocking this law as the case proceeds through the judicial system. This decision represents an important victory for New Hampshire students and their families. Judge McCafferty’s ruling reaffirms the state’s constitutional responsibility to provide adequate school funding without conditions. Schools should be a place where educators and students can exchange ideas and share different viewpoints as part of the learning experience.” Christine Downing, the superintendent of the Grantham School District, said: “The Grantham School District appreciates the Court's decision to grant a preliminary injunction against the DEI prohibitions found in HB2. This decision recognizes the concerns regarding the law's vague language and its potential chilling effect on our educational programming, as well as concerns regarding the law’s proposed unilateral and arbitrary loss of funding without providing a full understanding of what constitutes a violation. As a district, we remain committed to our mission to prepare students to thrive in a diverse, global world by honoring each other, valuing uniqueness, encouraging empathy, and fostering an inclusive environment where all our students – including those with disabilities and from diverse backgrounds – receive the support and education they are guaranteed under federal and state law. We will continue to monitor the ongoing litigation and look forward to further clarity as this critical case progresses.” John Shea, the superintendent of the Somersworth School District, said: “At a time when the rule of law is being trampled, by our very own government, it is heartening to receive this decision. The Somersworth School District is proud to stand up, with all of the other plaintiffs and our legal team, for the American values that are simply fundamental to universal public education. Moving forward, I’m desperately hopeful that this sort of distractive and destructive legislative gamesmanship will stop. We must find a way to come together – around some basic common ground – and move past all the divisive rhetoric and wasted time. Let’s get on with the important work of the noble American experiment. And let's take good care of our kids – all of them.” The court’s order is available here: https://www.aclu.org/cases/national-education-association-new-hampshire-v-formella?document=Order-Granting-Preliminary-Injunction

SEATTLE – Gather Church, a ministry in Lewis County, Washington, today filed a lawsuit challenging a county ordinance that makes it nearly impossible for the church to fulfill a core part of its religious mission: providing harm reduction services for residents with substance use disorder. Harm reduction services use non-judgmental strategies to minimize the negative health, social, and legal consequences associated with drug use. The lawsuit, which was filed in the Western District Court of Washington, alleges violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act, Washington state anti-discrimination laws, Washington state constitutional protections for religious liberty, and that the local ordinance violates state laws that permit and encourage harm reduction services. Gather Church is represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Washington, and law firm Kaplan & Grady. “Connection is essential for health. Our syringe services program allows us to make connections with people who are poor, hungry, addicted, lonely, and unhoused. The program is motivated by our faith, but also by the brain science of addiction. We know what works, and our program is incredibly effective,” said Cole Meckle, pastor at Gather Church. Since 2010, Gather Church has been devoted to helping Lewis County residents in need. Founded amid the opioid epidemic, Gather focused its efforts on residents with substance use disorder, eventually expanding its programs to include a food and clothing bank, a clinic that provides medication for addiction treatment and primary health care, and intensive outpatient therapy. Gather opened a syringe services program (SSP) in 2019, which gives sterile syringes to people who would otherwise share contaminated syringes to inject drugs. The program was supported by a grant from the State Department of Health and built on decades of research showing that SSPs save lives, reduce the transmission of disease, and do not increase drug use or local crime. It is the policy of Washington state to support and encourage SSPs because they are so effective at preventing HIV transmission and reducing injection risk behaviors, promoting access to naloxone, increasing exposure to overdose education, and facilitating referral to and enrollment in treatment services. SSPs like Gather Church’s do not increase drug use, unsafe syringe disposal practices, or neighborhood crime rates. However, in April 2024, Lewis County adopted an ordinance that bans Gather from distributing sterile syringes through its mobile clinic and from distributing lifesaving supplies like test kits for fentanyl and xylazine. As a result, Gather cannot serve most of its community because many have disabilities that prevent them from traveling to Gather. “Syringe services programs and other harm reduction services have saved countless lives and are key tools to help stem the opioid epidemic in Washington state and across the country,” said Malhar Shah, senior staff attorney with the ACLU Disability Rights Program. “This ordinance in Lewis County not only prevents Gather Church from fulfilling its religious duty to the community, but it also denies people with substance use disorder and other disabilities access to this important public health program—in violation of federal disability laws.” “Lewis County’s ordinance is rooted in decades-old stigma against people who use drugs, driven by misinformation that harm reduction programs increase drug use and crime,” said Tara Urs, staff attorney with ACLU-WA. “An overwhelming body of research demonstrates that harm reduction programs work. Pastor Cole and Gather have set an example by bringing evidence-based, public health programs to rural communities who would otherwise struggle with unmet needs for care, compassion, and treatment." “Gather Church's religious mission is serving people struggling with drug addiction. Lewis County directly targeted the church — the county’s sole syringe service program — in direct violation of civil rights and religious liberty protections,” said David Howard Sinkman of Kaplan & Grady. “Local governments cannot be allowed to discriminate against members of their communities or prohibit the free exercise of religious faith." The lawsuit also alleges that the ordinance prevents Gather from providing tangible acts of service consistent with its faith, and hinders it from being able to provide lifesaving health services to people with substance use disorder.