Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes individuals to file legal complaints against policies that disproportionately impact students of color.

Highlights:

• Establishes a Special Assistant for Equity and Inclusion to promote, coordinate, and evaluate efforts to generate program compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and to inform individuals of their rights under that bill, including the dissemination of information, technical assistance, and coordination of research activities (Sec. 4).

• Amends Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits exclusion from participation in, denial of benefits of, and discrimination under federally assisted programs on grounds of race, color, or national origin (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that the result of a violation of a regulation relating to disparate impact will be a private civil legal complaint for its enforcement, to the same extent as an intentional violation of the above prohibition (Sec. 2).

• Requires each recipient to (Sec. 3):

• Designate at least one employee to coordinate efforts to comply with requirements adopted in this bill and to carry out the responsibilities of the recipient under this bill, including any investigation of a complaint alleging the noncompliance of the recipient with such requirements or alleging any actions prohibited by this bill; and

• Notify its students and employees of the name, office address, and telephone number of each employee designated.

• Requires each selected employee to consider antisemitism to be discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin when carrying out the responsibilities of the recipient (Sec. 3).

• Defines “recipient” as an entity that operates an education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance authorized or extended by the Secretary of Education (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text