VA Proposes To Remove Regulations Banning Unintentional Discrimination in Federally Funded Program
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The Department of Veterans Affairs has proposed a change to its own rules on civil rights. Specifically, the VA wants to remove language from its regulations that currently prohibits programs receiving federal money from using practices that unintentionally harm people based on race, color, or national origin.
Why it matters: The practical effect is that it becomes harder for individuals or groups to challenge VA-funded programs under civil rights laws if they believe those programs are causing unequal outcomes but were not designed with discriminatory intent. The government argues the current rules exceed legal authority and conflict with Supreme Court precedent, which has generally held that federal law prohibits only intentional discrimination.
Who it affects
- Veterans service organizations and advocacy groups
This is a proposed rule from the Department of Veterans Affairs published in the Federal Register; comments are open, and the final decision has not yet been made.
Agency: Veterans Affairs Department
Source: Federal Register — read the official document