Citing worries about diminished accessibility, weakened anti-discrimination enforcement, and a lack of public input, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined attorneys general across the country in opposing a U.S. Department of Energy proposal that would roll back civil rights protections in federally funded programs.
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown is joining attorneys general nationwide in opposing a plan by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that would erode civil rights protections against discrimination on the basis of color, sex, and disability, according to a news release issued on Tuesday, June 17. Recently, the Department of Energy proposed amendments that would do away with important regulations that safeguard people’s rights in buildings and activities that receive government funding.
Longstanding civil rights laws that support equitable access to housing, healthcare, education, and other resources, including the Rehabilitation Act, the Education Amendments, and the Civil Rights Act, serve as the foundation for these protections. The DOE is limiting public commenting opportunities and circumventing the traditional rulemaking process by proposing these modifications.
State leaders, including Attorney General Brown, are calling on DOE to change its direction. They provided four formal comments explaining how the suggested modifications would:
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make it more difficult to look into and prevent prejudice in programs that receive federal funding;
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Eliminate accessibility guidelines that guarantee individuals with disabilities can access DOE-funded structures, including energy facilities, labs, and schools;
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Break federal law by avoiding the appropriate rulemaking procedure that calls for public participation.
make it more difficult to look into and prevent prejudice in programs that receive federal funding;
Eliminate accessibility guidelines that guarantee individuals with disabilities can access DOE-funded structures, including energy facilities, labs, and schools;
Break federal law by avoiding the appropriate rulemaking procedure that calls for public participation.
The DOE plan is a part of a fast-track process that, if there isn’t enough public resistance, would allow the new rules to go into force immediately. Attorney General Brown stressed that all Americans, including Marylanders, should have equal access to public services and programs free from impediments and discrimination.
Copies of the letters that were turned in:
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Revocation of Nondiscrimination Regulations in Federally Assisted Programs or Activities: A Direct Final Rule for Comment
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Revocation of New Construction Requirements Associated with Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs or Activities and Significant Adverse Comment Request for Immediate Withdrawal of Direct Final Rule
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Considerable Opposition to the Direct Final Rule Revocation of the Regulation Concerning Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Educational Programs or Activities Awarded Federal Funds
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Considerable Opposition to Direct Final Rule Revocation of Regulation Concerning Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Sports Programs Derived from Federal Funds
Revocation of Nondiscrimination Regulations in Federally Assisted Programs or Activities: A Direct Final Rule for Comment
Revocation of New Construction Requirements Associated with Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs or Activities and Significant Adverse Comment Request for Immediate Withdrawal of Direct Final Rule
Considerable Opposition to the Direct Final Rule Revocation of the Regulation Concerning Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Educational Programs or Activities Awarded Federal Funds
Considerable Opposition to Direct Final Rule Revocation of Regulation Concerning Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Sports Programs Derived from Federal Funds
