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Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73not60

§2000c–6 Civil Actions by the Attorney General

Title 42 › Chapter 21— CIVIL RIGHTS › Subchapter IV— PUBLIC EDUCATION › § 2000c–6

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Attorney General can bring a civil case when he gets a signed, written complaint that either parents say a school board is denying a group of minors equal protection, or an individual (or that person's parent) says a public college refused or would not let them continue because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. He may step in if those people can't afford or get a lawyer, or if suing would threaten their safety, job, money, family, or property. "Parent" includes someone acting as a parent, and "complaint" means a written document under 18 U.S.C. 1001.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §2000c–6

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Whenever the Attorney General receives a complaint in writing—
(1)signed by a parent or group of parents to the effect that his or their minor children, as members of a class of persons similarly situated, are being deprived by a school board of the equal protection of the laws, or
(2)signed by an individual, or his parent, to the effect that he has been denied admission to or not permitted to continue in attendance at a public college by reason of race, color, religion, sex or national origin,
(b)The Attorney General may deem a person or persons unable to initiate and maintain appropriate legal proceedings within the meaning of subsection (a) of this section when such person or persons are unable, either directly or through other interested persons or organizations, to bear the expense of the litigation or to obtain effective legal representation; or whenever he is satisfied that the institution of such litigation would jeopardize the personal safety, employment, or economic standing of such person or persons, their families, or their property.
(c)The term “parent” as used in this section includes any person standing in loco parentis. A “complaint” as used in this section is a writing or document within the meaning of section 1001, title 18.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1972—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 92–318 inserted “sex” after “religion,”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 2000c–6

Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60