U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights Reaches Agreement to Resolve Restraint and Seclusion Compliance Review of Horry County Schools in South Carolina | site |
Information contained in U.S. Department of Education press release dated: May 24, 2022
The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) on Monday resolved a compliance review of the Horry County Schools in South Carolina. The district committed to take steps necessary to ensure that students with disabilities receive the free appropriate public education (FAPE) to which they are entitled without unnecessary restraint or seclusion or missed instruction.
OCR’s investigation identified concerns that students who were repeatedly subjected to restraint or seclusion lost educational time and services, and that the district did not re-evaluate students who were repeatedly restrained or secluded to determine whether they should receive addition...
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U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights Reaches Agreement to Resolve Restraint and Seclusion Compliance Review of Horry County Schools in South Carolina
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U.S. Department of Education Announces Intent to Strengthen and Protect Rights for Students with Disabilities by Amending Regulations Implementing Section 504
U.S. Department of Education Announces Intent to Strengthen and Protect Rights for Students with Disabilities by Amending Regulations Implementing Section 504 | site |
Information contained in U.S. Department of Education press release dated: May 6, 2022 Forty-five years after publication of the regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the landmark disability civil rights law, the U.S. Department of Education announced plans to gather public input on possible amendments to those regulations in order to strengthen and protect the rights of students with disabilities. Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in public and private programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance, including schools and postsecondary institutions. The Department's Office for Civil Rights will solicit public comments to help decide how best to improve current regulations to assist America's stu... -
Office for Civil Rights Reaches Resolution Agreement with Nation’s Second Largest School District, Los Angeles Unified, to Meet Needs of Students with Disabilities during COVID-19 Pandemic
Office for Civil Rights Reaches Resolution Agreement with Nation’s Second Largest School District, Los Angeles Unified, to Meet Needs of Students with Disabilities during COVID-19 Pandemic | site |
Information contained in U.S. Department of Education press release dated: April 28, 2022 The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today resolved an investigation of the Los Angeles Unified School District in California with an agreement requiring it to take steps necessary to ensure that students with disabilities receive educational services, including compensatory services, during and resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. OCR investigated the district’s provision during the pandemic of the free appropriate public education (FAPE) to which federal civil rights law entitles students with disabilities. OCR’s investigation found that the district failed to provide services identified in students... -
Office for Civil Rights Reaches Resolution Agreement with Nation’s Second Largest School District, Los Angeles Unified, to Meet Needs of Students with Disabilities during COVID-19 Pandemic
Office for Civil Rights Reaches Resolution Agreement with Nation’s Second Largest School District, Los Angeles Unified, to Meet Needs of Students with Disabilities during COVID-19 Pandemic| site |
Information contained in U.S. Department of Education press release dated: April 28, 2022 The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today resolved an investigation of the Los Angeles Unified School District in California with an agreement requiring it to take steps necessary to ensure that students with disabilities receive educational services, including compensatory services, during and resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. OCR investigated the district’s provision during the pandemic of the free appropriate public education (FAPE) to which federal civil rights law entitles students with disabilities. OCR’s investigation found that the district faile... -
HUD issues new Civil Rights Guidance on Marketing and Application Requirement for Subsidized Multifamily Properties
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development issues new Civil Rights Guidance on Marketing and Application Requirement for Subsidized Multifamily Properties | site |
Guidance designed to inform inclusive marketing and application practices of multifamily housing
Information contained in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development press release dated: April 21, 2022
Washington - - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) today released new guidance to reinforce requirements that HUD-subsidized multifamily housing’s marketing and application processes be designed to be inclusive of persons of all races and national origins.
The two new guidance pieces, titled “Guidance on Compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act in Marketing and Application Processing at Subsidized Multifamily Properties” and “Implementation Sheet for HUD’s Title VI G... -
Taxpayer Advocacy Panel welcomes 25 new Members; calls for new Volunteers to Apply by April 8 to help Shape Future of IRS, improve Taxpayer Rights
Taxpayer Advocacy Panel welcomes 25 new Members; calls for new Volunteers to Apply by April 8 to help Shape Future of IRS, improve Taxpayer Rights | site |
Information contained in U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) press release dated: April 1, 2022 Washington - - The Internal Revenue Service today announced that it recommended, and the Department of the Treasury approved, the selection of 25 new members to serve on the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) for 2022. The new members will join 10 TAP alternates who were approved in a prior year, for a total of 35 new active members. When added to returning members, these new TAP members will round out the panel with 69 volunteers for 2022. New members were selected from a pool of approximately 300 interested individuals who applied during an open recruitment period last spring and from alternate members who applied in previous years. "We are excited to welcome all of the new members to the Taxpayer Advocac... -
U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights Opens Investigations in Five States Regarding Prohibitions of Universal Indoor Masking
U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights Opens Investigations in Five States Regarding Prohibitions of Universal Indoor Masking | site |
(Information contained in U.S. Department of Education press release dated: August 30, 2021) Today, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) opened directed investigations in five states exploring whether statewide prohibitions on universal indoor masking discriminate against students with disabilities who are at heightened risk for severe illness from COVID-19 by preventing them from safely accessing in-person education. "The Department has heard from parents from across the country – particularly parents of students with disabilities and with underlying medical conditions – about how state bans on universal indoor masking are putting their children at risk and preventing them from accessing in-person learning equally," said... -
U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Announces Civil Rights Data Collection for the 2021-22 School Year
U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Announces Civil Rights Data Collection for the 2021-22 School Year | site |
(Information contained in U.S. Department of Education press release dated: August 13, 2021)
Today, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights announced in a letter to school superintendents that it will administer a 2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC), marking the first time that OCR has conducted a CRDC, including all public school districts and their schools, two years in a row, for 2020-21 and 2021-22. The additional collection will help advance equity at a time when the nation’s educational landscape has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and schools are receiving substantial new federal funding to address new and longstanding challenges. Data from the CRDC will inform ongoing decisions regarding additional support that schools, educators, and students need to succeed, and will also assist... -
U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights Announces Virtual Public Hearing to Gather Information for the Purpose of Improving Enforcement of Title IX
U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights Announces Virtual Public Hearing to Gather Information for the Purpose of Improving Enforcement of Title IX | site |
(Information contained in U.S. Department of Education press release dated: May 17, 2021)
The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today announced a virtual public hearing to be held from June 7, 2021, to June 11, 2021, to gather information for improving enforcement of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The notice for the public hearing is available here, and the official hearing notice will be published in the Federal Register in the coming days.
The hearing is part of OCR's comprehensive review of the Department's existing regulations and other actions related to Title IX to implement President Biden's March 8 Executive Order on Guaranteeing an Educational Environment Free from Discrimination on the Basis of Sex,... -
OCR Resolves Three Discrimination Complaints After Medstar Health System Ensures Patients With Disabilities Can Have Support Persons in Health Care Settings During Covid-19 Pandemic
Office for Civil Rights Resolves Three Discrimination Complaints After Medstar Health System Ensures Patients With Disabilities Can Have Support Persons in Health Care Settings During Covid-19 Pandemic | site |
(Information contained in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS] news release dated: February 25, 2021) Today, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S Department of Health and Human Services announces the resolution of three disability discrimination complaints to ensure that patients with disabilities are allowed access to support persons in MedStar Health hospitals and care locations during the COVID-19 pandemic. A support person may be a family member, personal care assistant, similar disability service provider, or other individual knowledgeable about the management or care of the patient who is authorized to assist the patient in making decisions. None of the individuals in the complaints had COVID-19, but all w... -
Putting Human Rights at the Center of U.S. Foreign Policy
Putting Human Rights at the Center of U.S. Foreign Policy | site |
(Information contained in U.S. Department of State press release dated: February 24, 2021)
Press Statement
February 24, 2021
Antony J. Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State The United States is committed to a world in which human rights are protected, their defenders are celebrated, and those who commit human rights abuses are held accountable. Promoting respect for human rights is not something we can do alone, but is best accomplished working with our allies and partners across the globe. President Biden is committed to a foreign policy that unites our democratic values with our diplomatic leadership, and one that is centered on the defense of democracy and the protection of human rights. Today, the administration took an important step in that direction by announcing the U.S. intent to seek election to a seat on the UN Human Rights Council starting in January 2022. The Un... -
Office for Civil Rights Settles Fifteenth Investigation in HIPAA Right of Access Initiative
Office for Civil Rights Settles Fifteenth Investigation in HIPAA Right of Access Initiative | site |
(Information contained in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS] press release dated: February 10, 2021)
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announces its fifteenth settlement of an enforcement action in its HIPAA Right of Access Initiative. OCR announced this initiative to support individuals’ right to timely access their health records at a reasonable cost under the HIPAA Privacy Rule. Renown Health, P.C., a private, not-for-profit health system in Nevada, has agreed to take corrective actions and pay $75,000 to settle a potential violation of the HIPAA Privacy Rule’s right of access standard. In February 2019, OCR received a complaint alleging that Renown Health failed to timely respond to a patient’s request that an electronic copy of her protected health information, inc... -
Prioritizing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights in U.S. Foreign Policy
Prioritizing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights in U.S. Foreign Policy | site |
(Information contained in U.S. Department of State press release dated: January 28, 2021)
Press Statement
Antony J. Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State
January 28, 2021
Today, President Biden signed a Presidential Memorandum revoking the January 23, 2017 Presidential Memorandum on the Mexico City Policy. Pursuant to President Biden’s memorandum, the previous administration’s Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy has also been rescinded. In the Biden-Harris administration, the empowerment and protection of women and girls, including promoting their sexual and reproductive health and rights, is a central part of U.S. foreign policy and national security. Today’s action by President Biden will help improve the lives of women and children around the world by expanding the base of partners implementin... -
U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights Delivers Annual Report to Congress
U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights Delivers Annual Report to Congress Highlighting Major Milestones and Achievements in Protecting Students' Rights | site |
(Information contained in U.S. Department of Education press release: January 13, 2021)
Washington - - Today, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released its Annual Report to the Secretary, the President, and the Congress for fiscal year 2020. The Annual Report summarizes enforcement achievements and policy priorities for FY 2020 and highlights the significant progress made over the course of the past four years of the Trump Administration (2017-2020) in strengthening civil rights enforcement. OCR achieved historic results under former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, who made aggressive enforcement of students' civil rights a top priority. Over the last four years, OCR has resolved significantly more complaints with change than the previou... -
Office for Civil Rights Facilitates Safe Clergy Access for Patients at Mt. Sinai Hospital During COVID-19
HHS says Office for Civil Rights Facilitates Safe Clergy Access for Patients at Mt. Sinai Hospital During COVID-19 | site |
(Information contained in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services press release: December 16, 2020) Today, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces the resolution of a religious discrimination complaint, thus ensuring clergy access to patients for religious purposes during the COVID-19 pandemic for the entire Mt. Sinai Health System in New York (Mt. Sinai). On August 5, 2020, a Jewish community advocacy organization filed a complaint with OCR alleging that several hospitals in various hospital systems in New York, including Mt. Sinai in Manhattan, were denying Jewish patients access to clergy in both COVID and non-COVID units. In one instance at Mt. Sinai, the complaint alleged that a Jewish patient was unable to obtain access to Kosher food; after asking for his ra...
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U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights Reaches Agreement to Resolve Restraint and Seclusion Compliance Review of Horry County Schools in South Carolina | site |
Information contained in U.S. Department of Education press release dated: May 24, 2022 The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) on Monday resolved a compliance review of the Horry County Schools in South Carolina. The district committed to take steps necessary to ensure that students with disabilities receive the free appropriate public education (FAPE) to which they are entitled without unnecessary restraint or seclusion or missed instruction. OCR’s investigation identified concerns that students who were repeatedly subjected to restraint or seclusion lost educational time and services, and that the district did not re-evaluate students who were repeatedly restrained or secluded to determine whether they should receive addition...06-04-2022, 08:52 AM -
U.S. Department of Education Announces Intent to Strengthen and Protect Rights for Students with Disabilities by Amending Regulations Implementing Section 504 | site |
Information contained in U.S. Department of Education press release dated: May 6, 2022 Forty-five years after publication of the regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the landmark disability civil rights law, the U.S. Department of Education announced plans to gather public input on possible amendments to those regulations in order to strengthen and protect the rights of students with disabilities. Section 504 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in public and private programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance, including schools and postsecondary institutions. The Department's Office for Civil Rights will solicit public comments to help decide how best to improve current regulations to assist America's stu...05-06-2022, 04:17 PM -
Office for Civil Rights Reaches Resolution Agreement with Nation’s Second Largest School District, Los Angeles Unified, to Meet Needs of Students with Disabilities during COVID-19 Pandemic | site |
Information contained in U.S. Department of Education press release dated: April 28, 2022 The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today resolved an investigation of the Los Angeles Unified School District in California with an agreement requiring it to take steps necessary to ensure that students with disabilities receive educational services, including compensatory services, during and resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. OCR investigated the district’s provision during the pandemic of the free appropriate public education (FAPE) to which federal civil rights law entitles students with disabilities. OCR’s investigation found that the district failed to provide services identified in students...05-04-2022, 11:28 PM -
Office for Civil Rights Reaches Resolution Agreement with Nation’s Second Largest School District, Los Angeles Unified, to Meet Needs of Students with Disabilities during COVID-19 Pandemic| site |
Information contained in U.S. Department of Education press release dated: April 28, 2022 The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today resolved an investigation of the Los Angeles Unified School District in California with an agreement requiring it to take steps necessary to ensure that students with disabilities receive educational services, including compensatory services, during and resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. OCR investigated the district’s provision during the pandemic of the free appropriate public education (FAPE) to which federal civil rights law entitles students with disabilities. OCR’s investigation found that the district faile...05-04-2022, 11:28 PM -
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development issues new Civil Rights Guidance on Marketing and Application Requirement for Subsidized Multifamily Properties | site |
Guidance designed to inform inclusive marketing and application practices of multifamily housing
Information contained in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development press release dated: April 21, 2022
Washington - - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) today released new guidance to reinforce requirements that HUD-subsidized multifamily housing’s marketing and application processes be designed to be inclusive of persons of all races and national origins.
The two new guidance pieces, titled “Guidance on Compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act in Marketing and Application Processing at Subsidized Multifamily Properties” and “Implementation Sheet for HUD’s Title VI G...04-29-2022, 07:23 PM -
Taxpayer Advocacy Panel welcomes 25 new Members; calls for new Volunteers to Apply by April 8 to help Shape Future of IRS, improve Taxpayer Rights | site |
Information contained in U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) press release dated: April 1, 2022 Washington - - The Internal Revenue Service today announced that it recommended, and the Department of the Treasury approved, the selection of 25 new members to serve on the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) for 2022. The new members will join 10 TAP alternates who were approved in a prior year, for a total of 35 new active members. When added to returning members, these new TAP members will round out the panel with 69 volunteers for 2022. New members were selected from a pool of approximately 300 interested individuals who applied during an open recruitment period last spring and from alternate members who applied in previous years. "We are excited to welcome all of the new members to the Taxpayer Advocac...04-05-2022, 08:15 PM -
U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights Opens Investigations in Five States Regarding Prohibitions of Universal Indoor Masking | site |
(Information contained in U.S. Department of Education press release dated: August 30, 2021) Today, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) opened directed investigations in five states exploring whether statewide prohibitions on universal indoor masking discriminate against students with disabilities who are at heightened risk for severe illness from COVID-19 by preventing them from safely accessing in-person education. "The Department has heard from parents from across the country – particularly parents of students with disabilities and with underlying medical conditions – about how state bans on universal indoor masking are putting their children at risk and preventing them from accessing in-person learning equally," said...09-07-2021, 08:42 PM -
U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Announces Civil Rights Data Collection for the 2021-22 School Year | site |
(Information contained in U.S. Department of Education press release dated: August 13, 2021)
Today, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights announced in a letter to school superintendents that it will administer a 2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC), marking the first time that OCR has conducted a CRDC, including all public school districts and their schools, two years in a row, for 2020-21 and 2021-22. The additional collection will help advance equity at a time when the nation’s educational landscape has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and schools are receiving substantial new federal funding to address new and longstanding challenges. Data from the CRDC will inform ongoing decisions regarding additional support that schools, educators, and students need to succeed, and will also assist...08-17-2021, 01:25 AM -
U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights Announces Virtual Public Hearing to Gather Information for the Purpose of Improving Enforcement of Title IX | site |
(Information contained in U.S. Department of Education press release dated: May 17, 2021)
The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today announced a virtual public hearing to be held from June 7, 2021, to June 11, 2021, to gather information for improving enforcement of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The notice for the public hearing is available here, and the official hearing notice will be published in the Federal Register in the coming days.
The hearing is part of OCR's comprehensive review of the Department's existing regulations and other actions related to Title IX to implement President Biden's March 8 Executive Order on Guaranteeing an Educational Environment Free from Discrimination on the Basis of Sex,...05-17-2021, 09:49 PM -
Office for Civil Rights Resolves Three Discrimination Complaints After Medstar Health System Ensures Patients With Disabilities Can Have Support Persons in Health Care Settings During Covid-19 Pandemic | site |
(Information contained in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS] news release dated: February 25, 2021) Today, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S Department of Health and Human Services announces the resolution of three disability discrimination complaints to ensure that patients with disabilities are allowed access to support persons in MedStar Health hospitals and care locations during the COVID-19 pandemic. A support person may be a family member, personal care assistant, similar disability service provider, or other individual knowledgeable about the management or care of the patient who is authorized to assist the patient in making decisions. None of the individuals in the complaints had COVID-19, but all w...02-25-2021, 11:46 PM -
Putting Human Rights at the Center of U.S. Foreign Policy | site |
(Information contained in U.S. Department of State press release dated: February 24, 2021)
Press Statement
February 24, 2021
Antony J. Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State The United States is committed to a world in which human rights are protected, their defenders are celebrated, and those who commit human rights abuses are held accountable. Promoting respect for human rights is not something we can do alone, but is best accomplished working with our allies and partners across the globe. President Biden is committed to a foreign policy that unites our democratic values with our diplomatic leadership, and one that is centered on the defense of democracy and the protection of human rights. Today, the administration took an important step in that direction by announcing the U.S. intent to seek election to a seat on the UN Human Rights Council starting in January 2022. The Un...02-25-2021, 05:44 AM -
Office for Civil Rights Settles Fifteenth Investigation in HIPAA Right of Access Initiative | site |
(Information contained in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS] press release dated: February 10, 2021)
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announces its fifteenth settlement of an enforcement action in its HIPAA Right of Access Initiative. OCR announced this initiative to support individuals’ right to timely access their health records at a reasonable cost under the HIPAA Privacy Rule. Renown Health, P.C., a private, not-for-profit health system in Nevada, has agreed to take corrective actions and pay $75,000 to settle a potential violation of the HIPAA Privacy Rule’s right of access standard. In February 2019, OCR received a complaint alleging that Renown Health failed to timely respond to a patient’s request that an electronic copy of her protected health information, inc...02-10-2021, 01:58 PM -
Prioritizing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights in U.S. Foreign Policy | site |
(Information contained in U.S. Department of State press release dated: January 28, 2021)
Press Statement
Antony J. Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State
January 28, 2021
Today, President Biden signed a Presidential Memorandum revoking the January 23, 2017 Presidential Memorandum on the Mexico City Policy. Pursuant to President Biden’s memorandum, the previous administration’s Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy has also been rescinded. In the Biden-Harris administration, the empowerment and protection of women and girls, including promoting their sexual and reproductive health and rights, is a central part of U.S. foreign policy and national security. Today’s action by President Biden will help improve the lives of women and children around the world by expanding the base of partners implementin...01-29-2021, 11:39 PM -
U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights Delivers Annual Report to Congress Highlighting Major Milestones and Achievements in Protecting Students' Rights | site |
(Information contained in U.S. Department of Education press release: January 13, 2021)
Washington - - Today, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released its Annual Report to the Secretary, the President, and the Congress for fiscal year 2020. The Annual Report summarizes enforcement achievements and policy priorities for FY 2020 and highlights the significant progress made over the course of the past four years of the Trump Administration (2017-2020) in strengthening civil rights enforcement. OCR achieved historic results under former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, who made aggressive enforcement of students' civil rights a top priority. Over the last four years, OCR has resolved significantly more complaints with change than the previou...01-13-2021, 11:01 PM -
HHS says Office for Civil Rights Facilitates Safe Clergy Access for Patients at Mt. Sinai Hospital During COVID-19 | site |
(Information contained in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services press release: December 16, 2020) Today, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces the resolution of a religious discrimination complaint, thus ensuring clergy access to patients for religious purposes during the COVID-19 pandemic for the entire Mt. Sinai Health System in New York (Mt. Sinai). On August 5, 2020, a Jewish community advocacy organization filed a complaint with OCR alleging that several hospitals in various hospital systems in New York, including Mt. Sinai in Manhattan, were denying Jewish patients access to clergy in both COVID and non-COVID units. In one instance at Mt. Sinai, the complaint alleged that a Jewish patient was unable to obtain access to Kosher food; after asking for his ra...12-17-2020, 06:46 PM -
Office for Civil Rights Settles Tenth Investigation in HIPAA Right of Access Initiative | site |
(November 6, 2020) - - On November 6, 2020 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published the following information: The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces that it has settled its tenth enforcement action in its HIPAA Right of Access Initiative. OCR announced this initiative as an enforcement priority in 2019 to support individuals' right to timely access to their health records at a reasonable cost under the HIPAA Privacy Rule. Riverside Psychiatric Medical Group (“RPMG”) has agreed to take corrective actions and pay $25,000 to settle a potential violation of the HIPAA Privacy Rule's right of access standard. RPMG, based in Riverside, California, is a group practice specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, neuropsychiatry, psychology, and substance use disor...11-07-2020, 01:57 PM -
U.S. says Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Moscow Mechanism Report Details Widespread Rights Violations in Belarus | site |
(November 5, 2020) - - Today, November 5, 2020, the U.S. Department of State published the following statement made by U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo: The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)’s Moscow Mechanism report on Belarus released on November 5 describes sustained human rights violations and abuses committed on a massive scale and with impunity by the Belarusian authorities during the fraudulent August 9 election and its aftermath. The abuses against peaceful demonstrators, opposition activists, and journalists include torture, arbitrary detention, and curtailment of the exercise of freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. We remain inspired by the resilience and dignity of the Belarusian people. The United States continues to call on the Belarusian autho...11-05-2020, 11:23 PM -
U.S. Department of Education Releases 2017-18 Civil Rights Data Collection |site|
(October 15, 2020) - - Today, October 15, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education published the following information: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Education’s (Department) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today released the 2017-18 Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC). This data, which are self-reported by 17,604 public school districts and 97,632 public schools and educational programs, have been collected and published biennially by OCR since 1968. The CRDC is a universal collection of data related to OCR’s civil rights enforcement responsibilities at Pre-K through 12th grade levels, including charter schools, magnet schools or programs, alternative schools, schools serving students with disabilities, and long-term secure juvenile justice facilities. The 2017-18 CRDC covers a broad array of topics and requires school districts and their schools to collect and input as ma...10-17-2020, 01:36 AM -
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Releases Report: Subminimum Wages: Impacts on the Civil Rights of People with Disabilities| site |
(September 17, 2020) - - The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights published today (September 17, 2020) the following information:
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights released Subminimum Wages: Impacts on the Civil Rights of People with Disabilities. The report examines an exemption under the Fair Labor Standards Act—the section 14(c) waiver program—which permits employers to pay less than the minimum wage to individuals with disabilities, and the federal enforcement of the civil rights of individuals in the program. The Commission found persistent failures in regulation and oversight by the Department of Labor and Department of Justice of the 14(c) program that have allowed, and continue to allow, it to operate without satisfying its legislative goal to meet the needs of people with disabilities. The...10-05-2020, 08:50 PM -
Office for Civil Rights Issues Guidance to Help Ensure First Responders and Others Receive Protected Health Information about Individuals Exposed to COVID-19 | site |
(March 24, 2020) - - Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published the following information: Today, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued guidance on how covered entities may disclose protected health information (PHI) about an individual who has been infected with or exposed to COVID-19 to law enforcement, paramedics, other first responders, and public health authorities in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule. The guidance explains the circumstances under which a covered entity may disclose PHI such as the name or other identifying information about individuals, without their HIPAA authorization, and provides examples including:...03-24-2020, 09:02 PM -
U.S. Department of Education Releases Webinar, Fact Sheet for Protecting Students' Civil Rights During COVID-19 Response| site |
(March 17, 2020) - - Today (March 17, 2020), the U.S. Department of Education published the following information:
WASHINGTON — The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Education released today a webinar on ensuring web accessibility for students with disabilities for schools utilizing online learning during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. In addition, OCR published a fact sheet for education leaders on how to protect students' civil rights as school leaders take steps to keep students safe and secure. These resources will assist education leaders in making distance learning accessible to students with disabilities and in preventing discrimination during this Administration-wide response effort. As more schools across the nation shift to distance learning, OCR's webinar reminds decisionmakers of their re...03-18-2020, 06:27 PM -
COVID-19: Countries, Businesses must Safeguard Human Rights as Virus Spreads: Bachelet| site |
(March 7, 2020) - - On Friday, March 6, 2020 the United Nations (UN) published the following information:
COVID-19: Countries, Businesses must Safeguard Human Rights as Virus Spreads: Bachelet
As the COVID-19 coronavirus continues to spread globally, the UN’s top human rights official appealed on Friday to put rights “front and centre” when implementing preventative measures.
Liz Throssell, spokesperson in the Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR), said rights chief Michelle Bachelet, had noted “people who are already barely surviving economically, may all too easily be pushed over the edge by measures being adopted to contain the virus.”
Carbon emissions drop?
Meanwhile, as record temperatures continued in the northern hemisphere, the World Meteorological...03-07-2020, 01:48 AM -
World Health Organization guidance concerning Rights, Roles and Responsibilities of Health Workers| site |
(February 18, 2020) - - The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided guidance relating to the Rights, Roles and Responsibilities of Health Workers. The guidance, titled,
"CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) OUTBREAK: RIGHTS, ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF HEALTH WORKERS, INCLUDING KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH",
may be viewed at https://www.who.int/docs/default-sou...rsn=bcabd401_0
or
Please press HERE...02-19-2020, 04:48 AM -
U.S. Education Secretary DeVos Announces New, Proactive Civil Rights Compliance Center within Office for Civil Rights | site |
'OPEN Center' will focus on Outreach, Prevention, Education and Non-discrimination to Promote Equal Access in Education
(January 21, 2020) - - Today, the U.S. Department of Education published the following information: WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced today that the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Education will launch the Outreach, Prevention, Education and Non-discrimination (OPEN) Center to focus on proactive compliance with federal civil rights laws. The OPEN Center will provide assistance and support to schools, educators, families, and students to ensure better awareness of the requirements and protections of federal non-discrimination laws. "The creation of the OPEN Center is yet another example of this Department's focus on supporting school distr...01-24-2020, 02:17 AM -
U.S. Department of Labor Announces Proposal to Protect Workers’ Rights by Increasing Financial Transparency and Union Democracy | site |
(December 16, 2019) - - Today (December 16, 2019), the U.S. Department of Labor published the following information:
WASHINGTON DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) will publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would increase financial transparency and democratic procedures for intermediate bodies under the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (LMRDA), also known as the Landrum-Griffin Act. The NPRM proposes a return to OLMS' 2003 interpretation that mid-level public sector labor organizations, also known as intermediate bodies, are covered under the LMRDA if the intermediate body's national or international organization is also covered under the LMRDA. Under the proposal, these intermediate bodies also would be subject to provisions such as ann...12-24-2019, 03:40 AM -
U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights Requires Significant Corrective Action from Chicago Public Schools Following Systemic Failure to Address Sexual Violence| site |
(September 12, 2019) - - The U.S. Department of Education published (today) the following information:
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it has reached a resolution agreement with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) that will require significant structural and procedural changes within the District in order to protect students from sexual assault and abuse.
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) concluded that, for years, CPS's management, handling, and oversight of complaints of student-on-student and adult-on-student sexual harassment has violated Title IX. In May 2015 and November 2016, OCR received two individual complaints alleging that the District failed to respond to sexual harassment and sexual assault of students by both teache...09-19-2019, 05:42 PM -
Trump Administration Issues Final Rules Protecting Conscience Rights in Health Insurance
(November 7, 2018) - - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published (today) the following information:
Today, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Treasury, and Labor released two final rules to provide conscience protections for Americans who have a religious or moral objection to health insurance that covers contraception methods. Under the Affordable Care Act, employer-provided health insurance plans are required to cover certain “preventative services” – which were defined through guidance by the Obama Administration as including all contraception methods approved by the Food and Drug Administration, including methods viewed by many as abortifacients, and sterilization procedures. In October 2017, the Trump Administration issued two interim final rules...11-10-2018, 04:09 AM -
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights Releases “Here to Serve You” Educational Video in Spanish
(November 1, 2018) - - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has released an educational video in Spanish to raise awareness within the Hispanic community about the work of OCR and to highlight important conscience and religious freedom rights protected by our federal laws. “Because respect for the conscience and religious freedom rights of patients and providers ensures diversity in healthcare, we are reaching out to the Spanish speaking community to foster greater understanding of the laws protecting our first freedoms,” said Roger Severino, OCR Director. In this video, Director Severino highlights the new Conscience and Religious Freedom Division and describes the work of all of OCR’s divisions in order to help patien...11-03-2018, 12:59 AM -
HHS Office for Civil Rights Issues Guidance to Help Ensure Equal Access to Emergency Services and the Appropriate Sharing of Medical Information During Hurricane Florence
Editor's note: On September 13, 2018 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published the following information:
As Hurricane Florence makes landfall, the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and its federal partners remain in close coordination to help ensure that emergency officials effectively address the needs of at-risk populations as part of disaster response. To this end, emergency responders and officials should consider adopting, as circumstances and resources allow, the following practices to help make sure all segments of the community are served:- Employing qualified interpreter services to assist individuals with limited English proficiency and individuals who are deaf or hard
09-17-2018, 01:34 AM -
U.S. Education Office for Civil Rights Launches Investigation into University of Southern California’s Handling of Sexual Harassment Claims
Calls for full cooperation and transparency by university officials
Washington, DC - - (June 11, 2018) - - The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today announced a Title IX directed, systemic investigation into the University of Southern California’s (USC) handling of reports of sexual harassment against former employee Dr. George Tyndall. OCR’s investigation will assess USC’s response to reports and complaints of sexual harassment during pelvic exams as early as 1990 that were not fully investigated by the University until spring 2016 and that the University did not disclose to OCR during an earlier investigation. “No student should ever endure sexual harassment or abuse while trying to pursue ...06-13-2018, 11:38 PM -
U. S. Postal Service Honors Civil and Women’s Rights Legend
Dorothy Height Forever Stamp is Newest Addition to Black Heritage Stamp Series
February 28, 2017
Washington, DC - - (February 1, 2017) - - The U.S. Postal Service today kicked off this year’s Black History Month observances by dedicating the Dorothy Height Forever stamp during a ceremony at Howard University. The 40th stamp in the Black Heritage series honors Height, a tireless activist, who dedicated her life to fighting for racial and gender equality. She became one of the most influential civil and women’s rights leaders of the 20th century. “The Postal Service is proud to honor civil rights icon Dorothy Height, an American treasure, whose illustrious career spanned almost a century,” said Ronald Stroman, deputy postmaster general and chief gover...02-28-2017, 02:28 PM -
Remarks of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Mignon L. Clyburn (as prepared for delivery)
“Net Neutrality and the Fight for Our Digital Rights” The Voices for Internet Freedom Coalition
Washington, DC - - (February 27, 2017) - -
Thank you Steven, for the wonderful introduction. It is great to be part of today’s conversation on net neutrality, or as I prefer to call it, the “open internet.”
So what do Title II reclassification, broad forbearance authority, and interconnection have in common? Before you start to doze, let me quickly say, that while these are all concepts contained in the FCC’s 2015 Open Internet Order, this is not how people outside the halls of the FCC and Communications Bar, generally talk about their experiences online, or with their broadband service providers. Yet this regulatory minutia is exactly what consumes those of us in D.C. and in academia when it comes...02-28-2017, 10:23 AM