HHS Amends Title VI Regulations, Ends Disparate-Impact Liability

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has issued a final rule updating its Title VI regulations. This amendment eliminates disparate-impact liability, refocusing HHS enforcement on prohibiting intentional discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs receiving HHS funding. The change aims to align regulations with Supreme Court precedent and prevent incentives for racial balancing, though OCR will continue to investigate intentional discrimination, considering statistical disparities as evidence.