(a) Cooperation and assistance. The Assistant Secretary shall to the fullest extent practicable seek the cooperation of recipients in obtaining compliance with this part and shall provide assistance and guidance to recipients to help them comply voluntarily with this part.

(b) Compliance reports. Each recipient shall keep such records and submit to the Assistant Secretary timely, complete and accurate compliance reports at such times, and in such form and containing such information as the Assistant Secretary may determine to be necessary to enable him to ascertain whether the recipient had complied or is complying with this part. For example, recipients should have available for the Department data showing the extent to which known handicapped individuals are beneficiaries and participants in federally assisted programs or activities. In the case in which a primary recipient extends Federal financial assistance to any other recipient, such other recipient shall also submit such compliance reports to the primary recipient as may be necessary to enable the primary recipient to carry out its obligations under this part.

(c) Access to sources of information. Each recipient shall permit access by the Assistant Secretary during normal business hours to such of its books, records, accounts, and other sources of information and its facilities as may be pertinent to ascertain compliance with this part. Where any information required of a recipient is in the exclusive possession of any other agency, institution or person and this agency, institution or person shall fail or refuse to furnish this information, the recipient shall so certify in its report and shall set forth what efforts it has made to obtain the information. Asserted considerations of privacy or confidentiality may not operate to bar the Department from access to or copying of records or information, or from evaluating or seeking to enforce compliance with this part.

(d) Posters and information. The recipient will post in prominent locations (bulletin boards, time clock areas, etc.) posters designed and furnished by DOL outlining and summarizing the nondiscrimination requirements of section 504. The recipient also will make readily available information on section 504 requirements with respect to compliance procedures, the rights of beneficiaries and employees through handbooks, pamphlets and other materials furnished by DOL.

[45 FR 66709, Oct. 7, 1980, as amended at 68 FR 51368, Aug. 26, 2003]

(a) Periodic compliance reviews. The Assistant Secretary shall from time-to-time review the practices of recipients to determine whether they are complying with this part.

(b) Adoption of grievance procedures. A recipient shall adopt an internal review procedure incorporating appropriate due process standards which provides for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by this part. The complainant or his or her representative shall file the complaint with the recipient for processing under those procedures. A complaint must be filed not later than 180 days from the date of the alleged discrimination, unless the time for filing is extended by the Assistant Secretary for good cause shown. The recipient shall maintain records on all complaints filed alleging violation of the Act and shall make such records available to the Assistant Secretary upon request. The complaint and all actions take thereunder shall be kept confidential by the recipient. If the complaint has not been resolved under those procedures satisfactorily to the complainant within 60 days of the filing or referral, the complainant or his or her representative may file a complaint with the Assistant Secretary within 30 days of the recipient level decision or 90 days from the date of filing the complaint, whichever is earlier. Upon such filing, the Assistant Secretary will proceed as provided in this section. Exhaustion of recipient level procedures shall be required except where:

(1) The recipient has not acted within the timeframe specified in this section; or

(2) The recipient's procedures are not in compliance with this section; or

(3) An emergency situation is determined to exist by the Assistant Secretary.

(c) Complaints. Where recipient level procedures have been exhausted, any person who believes he or she or any specific class of individuals has been subjected to discrimination prohibited by this part may (or through an authorized representative) file a written complaint with the Assistant Secretary.

(d) Contents of complaints. Complaints must be signed by the complainant or his or her authorized representative and must contain the following information:

(1) Name and address (including telephone or TTY number) of the complainant;

(2) Name and address of the recipient or sub-grantee who committed the alleged violation;

(3) A description of the act or acts considered to be a violation;

(4) A statement that the individual is handicapped or has a history of a handicap or other documentation of impairment or was regard by the recipient as having an impairment; and

(5) Other pertinent information available which will assist in the investigation and resolution of the complaint.

(e) Incomplete information. Where a complaint contains incomplete information, the Assistant Secretary shall seek the needed information or any other information which indicates a possible failure to comply with this part from the complainant and shall be responsible for developing a complete record. If such information is not provided within 60 days, the complaint may be closed upon notice to the parties.

(f) Resolution of matters. Where an investigation indicates that the recipient has not complied with the requirements of the Act or this part, efforts shall be made to secure compliance through conciliation and persuasion within a reasonable time. Before the recipient or subgrantee can be found to be in compliance, it must make a specific commitment, in writing, to take corrective action to meet the requirements of the Act and this part. The commitment must indicate the precise action to be taken and dates for completion. The time period allowed should be no longer than the minimum period necessary to effect such changes. Upon approval of such commitment by the Assistant Secretary, the recipient may be considered in compliance on condition that the commitments are kept. Where the investigation indicates a violation of the Act or regulations in this part (and the matter has not been resolved by informal means), the Assistant Secretary shall afford the recipient an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with § 32.47.

(g) Intimidatory or retaliatory acts prohibited. The sanctions and penalties contained in this regulation may be exercised by the Assistant Secretary against any recipient or sub-grantee who fails to take all necessary steps to ensure that no person intimidates, threatens, coerces or discriminates against any individual for the purpose of interfering with the filing of a complaint, furnishing information, or assisting or participating in any manner in an investigation, compliance review, hearing, or any other activity related to the administration of the Act.

(a) General. If there appears to be a failure or threatened failure to comply with this regulation and if the noncompliance or threatened noncompliance cannot be corrected by informal means, the Department may suspend, terminate or refuse to grant or to continue Federal financial assistance or take any other means authorized by law. Such other means may include, but are not limited to:

(1) A referral to the Department of Justice with a recommendation that appropriate proceedings be brought to enforce any rights of the United States under any law of the United States or any assurance; and

(2) Any applicable proceeding under state or local law.

(b) Noncompliance with the requirements of this part. If a recipient fails or refuses to comply with a requirement imposed by or pursuant to this part, the Department may institute an administrative enforcement proceeding to compel compliance with the requirement, to seek appropriate relief, and or to terminate Federal financial assistance in accordance with the procedures of paragraph (c) of this section. The Department shall not be required to provide assistance in such a case during the pendency of the administrative proceedings under such paragraph if grants have not yet been approved or funds not yet committed to the recipient. However, the Department shall continue assistance during the pendency of such proceedings where such assistance is due and payable pursuant to an application therefor approved prior to the effective date of this part.

(c) Termination of or refusal to grant or to continue Federal financial assistance. No order suspending, terminating or refusing to grant or continue Federal financial assistance shall become effective until:

(1) The Assistant Secretary has advised the applicant or recipient of its failure to comply and compliance has not been secured by voluntary means; and

(2) There has been an express finding on the record, after opportunity for hearing, of a failure by the applicant or recipient to comply with a requirement imposed by or pursuant to this part. Any action to suspend or terminate or to refuse to grant or to continue Federal financial assistance shall be limited to the particular political entity, or part thereof, or other applicant or recipient as to whom such a finding has been made and shall be limited in its effect to the particular program or activity, or part thereof, in which such noncompliance has been so found.

(d) Other means authorized by law. No action to effect compliance by any other means authorized by law shall be taken until:

(1) The Assistant Secretary has determined that compliance cannot be secured by voluntary means;

(2) The recipient or other person has been notified of its failure to comply and of the action to be taken to effect compliance; and

(3) The expiration of at least 10 days from the mailing of such notice to the recipient or other person.

[45 FR 66709, Oct. 7, 1980, as amended at 68 FR 51368, Aug. 26, 2003]

(a) All hearings conducted under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the regulations in this part shall be governed by the Department of Labor's rules of practice for administrative proceedings to enforce title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 contained in 29 CFR part 31.

(b) For the purposes of hearings pursuant to this part 32, references in 29 CFR part 31 to title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 shall mean section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

(c) The Assistant Secretary from time-to-time may assign to officials of other departments or agencies of the Government or of the Department of Labor (with the consent of such department or agency) responsibilities in connection with the effectuation of the purposes of section 504 of the Act and this part (other than responsibility for final decisions as provided in § 32.46), including the achievement of effective coordination and maximum uniformity within the Department and within the executive branch of the Government in the application of section 504 and this part to similar programs or activities and in similar situations.

(d) Any action taken, determination made, or requirement imposed by an official of another Department or agency acting pursuant to an assignment of responsibility under this subsection shall have the same effect as though such action had been taken by the Secretary.

[45 FR 66709, Oct. 7, 1980, as amended at 68 FR 51369, Aug. 26, 2003]