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Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-110

§2000d–7 Civil Rights Remedies Equalization

Title 42 › CHAPTER 21 — CIVIL RIGHTS › SUBCHAPTER V — FEDERALLY ASSISTED PROGRAMS › § 2000d–7

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

States cannot use the Eleventh Amendment to avoid being sued in federal court if they break certain federal anti‑discrimination laws. Those laws include section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Title IX, the Age Discrimination Act, Title VI, and other federal laws that bar discrimination by groups that get federal money. People can get the same court orders or money damages against a State as they could against any other public or private organization. This rule applies to violations that happen in whole or in part after October 21, 1986.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §2000d–7

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

(a)General provision
(1)A State shall not be immune under the Eleventh Amendment of the Constitution of the United States from suit in Federal court for a violation of section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [29 U.S.C. 794], title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 [20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.], the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 [42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.], title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 [42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.], or the provisions of any other Federal statute prohibiting discrimination by recipients of Federal financial assistance.
(2)In a suit against a State for a violation of a statute referred to in paragraph (1), remedies (including remedies both at law and in equity) are available for such a violation to the same extent as such remedies are available for such a violation in the suit against any public or private entity other than a State.
(b)Effective date
The provisions of subsection (a) shall take effect with respect to violations that occur in whole or in part after October 21, 1986.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Education

Amendments

of 1972, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is Pub. L. 92–318, June 23, 1972, 86 Stat. 235. Title IX of the Act, known as the Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act, is classified principally to chapter 38 (§ 1681 et seq.) of Title 20, Education. For complete classification of title IX to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 1681 of Title 20 and Tables. The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is title III of Pub. L. 94–135, Nov. 28, 1975, 89 Stat. 728, which is classified generally to chapter 76 (§ 6101 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 6101 of this title and Tables. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is Pub. L. 88–352, July 2, 1964, 78 Stat. 241. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is classified generally to this subchapter (§ 2000d et seq.). For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 2000a of this title and Tables. Codification Section was enacted as part of the Rehabilitation Act

Amendments

of 1986, and not as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, title VI of which comprises this subchapter.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 2000d–7

Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110