External Civil Rights Program

PHMSA's External Civil Rights Program encompasses all civil rights laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination in programs and activities receiving financial assistance from PHMSA. The PHMSA Office of Civil Rights is responsible for civil rights compliance and monitoring to ensure nondiscrimination in the services of recipients of PHMSA funds. The laws and regulations PHMSA enforces are:

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance. Specifically, Title VI states that "no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." (42 U.S.C. Section 2000d)

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance. Specifically, Section 504 states that "no otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States, as defined in section 705(20) of this title, shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance or under any program or activity conducted by any Executive agency or by the United States Postal Service." ("29 U.S.C. Section 794)

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, State and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation. It also mandates the establishment of TDD/telephone relay services. (P.L. 110-325)

The Age Discrimination Act of 1975

The Age Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance. Specifically, The Age Act states that "no person in the United States shall, on the basis of age, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under, any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." (42 U.S.C. Section 6101)

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Title IX of the Education Amendments prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance. Specifically, Title IX states that "no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance." (20 U.S.C. Section 1681)