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Civil rights compliance

The U. S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued guidance regarding the civil rights compliance obligations of federal agencies, as well as recipients and sub-recipients, of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funds.

The guidance emphasizes existing civil rights statutory obligations applicable to the distribution of federal financial assistance. Any recipients and sub-recipients of Recovery Act funds must comply with the civil rights laws outlined in the DOJ guidance.

• March 4, 2009 memo from Loretta King, U.S. Department of Justice

Federal agency obligations

Federal agencies will shortly begin distributing funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). They must do so in accordance with all nondiscrimination and equal opportunity statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders that apply to the distribution of funds under the Recovery Act. Agencies that grant funds also must ensure that their recipients and sub-recipients comply with:

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (prohibiting race, color, and national origin discrimination including language access for limited English proficient persons)
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (prohibiting disability discrimination)
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (prohibiting sex discrimination in education and training programs)
• Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (prohibiting age discrimination in the provision of services)
• A variety of program-specific statutes with nondiscrimination requirements

Recipient and sub-recipient obligations

Recipients and sub-recipients of Recovery Act funds or other federal financial assistance must comply with:

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975
• A variety of program-specific statutes with nondiscrimination requirements

Other civil rights laws may impose additional requirements on recipients and sub-recipients. These laws include, but are not limited to:

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (prohibiting race, color, national origin, religion, and sex discrimination in employment)
• Americans with Disabilities Act (prohibiting disability discrimination in employment and in services provided by State and local governments, businesses, and non-profit agencies)
• Fair Housing Act (prohibiting race, color, national origin, age, family status, and disability discrimination in housing)
• Any other applicable civil rights laws

For questions about these civil rights obligations, contact:

Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Civil Rights and Compliance Section, Room 451
4802 Sheboygan Avenue
P.O. Box 7965 Madison, WI 53707-7965
Phone: (608) 266-6961
Fax: (608) 267-3641 or 266-7818

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Questions about the content of this page:
Office of Public Affairs, opa.exec@dot.state.wi.us 
Last modified: January 14, 2011