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Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-110

§300w–7 Nondiscrimination Provisions

Title 42 › CHAPTER 6A — PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE › SUBCHAPTER XVII — BLOCK GRANTS › Part A — Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grants › § 300w–7

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Programs and activities that get any money under this part are treated like they receive federal financial help. They must follow federal civil-rights rules that ban unfair treatment because of age, disability, sex, race, color, or national origin. They also must not exclude or deny benefits to anyone because of sex or religion. If the Secretary finds a State or an entity getting these funds is not following those rules, the Secretary must tell the State’s chief executive officer and ask them to fix it. If the State does not fix the problem within a reasonable time, not more than 60 days, the Secretary can refer the case to the Attorney General, use civil-rights enforcement powers, or take other legal action. The Attorney General may sue in federal court for relief, including orders to stop the violations.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §300w–7

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

(a)Programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance
(1)For the purpose of applying the prohibitions against discrimination on the basis of age under the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 [42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.], on the basis of handicap under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [29 U.S.C. 794], on the basis of sex under title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 [20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.], or on the basis of race, color, or national origin under title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 [42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.], programs and activities funded in whole or in part with funds made available under this part are considered to be programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance.
(2)No person shall on the ground of sex or religion be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under, any program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds made available under this part.
(b)Failure to comply
Whenever the Secretary finds that a State, or an entity that has received a payment from an allotment to a State under section 300w–1 of this title, has failed to comply with a provision of law referred to in subsection (a)(1), with subsection (a)(2), or with an applicable regulation (including one prescribed to carry out subsection (a)(2)), the Secretary shall notify the chief executive officer of the State and shall request him to secure compliance. If within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed sixty days, the chief executive officer fails or refuses to secure compliance, the Secretary may—
(1)refer the matter to the Attorney General with a recommendation that an appropriate civil action be instituted,
(2)exercise the powers and functions provided by title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 [42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.], the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 [42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.], or section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [29 U.S.C. 794], as may be applicable, or
(3)take such other action as may be provided by law.
(c)Civil actions by Attorney General
When a matter is referred to the Attorney General pursuant to subsection (b)(1), or whenever he has reason to believe that a State or an entity is engaged in a pattern or practice in violation of a provision of law referred to in subsection (a)(1) or in violation of subsection (a)(2), the Attorney General may bring a civil action in any appropriate district court of the United States for such relief as may be appropriate, including injunctive relief.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1) and (b)(2), 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 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 Civil Rights Act of 1964, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1) and (b)(2), is Pub. L. 88–352, July 2, 1964, 78 Stat. 241. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is classified generally to subchapter V (§ 2000d et seq.) of chapter 21 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 2000a of this title and Tables.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 1981, see section 901 of Pub. L. 97–35, set out in part as a note under section 300w of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 300w–7

Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110