Regulations last checked for updates: Sep 29, 2023

Title 29 - Labor last revised: Sep 13, 2023
Table of Contents
COMPLIANCE REVIEWS

§ 38.62 - Authority and procedures for pre-approval compliance reviews.

§ 38.63 - Authority and procedures for conducting post-approval compliance reviews.

§ 38.64 - Procedures for concluding post-approval compliance reviews.

§ 38.65 - Authority to monitor the activities of a Governor.

§ 38.66 - Notice to Show Cause issued to a recipient.

§ 38.67 - Methods by which a recipient may show cause why enforcement proceedings should not be instituted.

§ 38.68 - Failing to show cause.

§ 38.60 - Evaluation of compliance.

§ 38.61 - Authority to issue subpoenas.

COMPLAINT PROCESSING PROCEDURES

§ 38.69 - Complaint filing.

§ 38.70 - Required contents of complaint.

§ 38.71 - Right to representation.

§ 38.72 - Required elements of a recipient's complaint processing procedures.

§ 38.73 - Responsibility for developing and publishing complaint processing procedures for service providers.

§ 38.74 - Recipient's obligations when it determines that it has no jurisdiction over a complaint.

§ 38.75 - If the complainant is dissatisfied after receiving a Notice of Final Action.

§ 38.76 - If a recipient fails to issue a Notice of Final Action within 90 days after the complaint was filed.

§ 38.77 - Extension of deadline to file complaint.

§ 38.78 - Determinations regarding acceptance of complaints.

§ 38.79 - When a complaint contains insufficient information.

§ 38.80 - Lack of jurisdiction.

§ 38.81 - Complaint referral.

§ 38.82 - Notice that complaint will not be accepted.

§ 38.83 - Notice of complaint acceptance.

§ 38.84 - Contacting CRC about a complaint.

§ 38.85 - Alternative dispute resolution.

COMPLAINT DETERMINATIONS

§ 38.86 - Notice at conclusion of complaint investigation.

§ 38.87 - Director's Initial Determination that reasonable cause exists to believe that a violation has taken place.

§ 38.88 - Director's Final Determination that no reasonable cause exists to believe that a violation has taken place.

§ 38.89 - When the recipient fails or refuses to take the corrective action listed in the Initial Determination.

§ 38.90 - Corrective or remedial action that may be imposed when the Director finds a violation.

§ 38.91 - Post-violation procedures.

§ 38.92 - Written assurance.

§ 38.93 - Required elements of a conciliation agreement.

§ 38.94 - When voluntary compliance cannot be secured.

§ 38.95 - Enforcement when voluntary compliance cannot be secured.

§ 38.96 - Contents of a Final Determination of a violation.

§ 38.97 - Notification of finding of noncompliance.

BREACHES OF CONCILIATION AGREEMENTS

§ 38.98 - Notification of Breach of Conciliation Agreement.

§ 38.99 - Contents of Notification of Breach of Conciliation Agreement.

§ 38.100 - Notification of an enforcement action based on breach of conciliation agreement.

COMPLIANCE REVIEWS
§ 38.62 - Authority and procedures for pre-approval compliance reviews.

(a) As appropriate and necessary to ensure compliance with the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of WIOA or this part, the Director may review any application, or class of applications, for Federal financial assistance under Title I of WIOA, before and as a condition of their approval. The basis for such review may be the assurance specified in § 38.25, information and reports submitted by the grant applicant under this part or guidance published by the Director, and any relevant records on file with the Department.

(b) When awarding financial assistance under Title I of WIOA, departmental grantmaking agencies must consult with the Director to review whether the CRC has issued a Notice to Show Cause under § 38.66(b) or a Final Determination against an applicant that has been identified as a probable awardee.

(c) The grantmaking agency will consider, in consultation with the Director, the information referenced in paragraph (b) of this section, along with any other information provided by the Director in determining whether to award a grant or grants. Departmental grantmaking agencies must consider refraining from awarding new grants to applicants or must consider including special terms in the grant agreement for entities named by the Director as described in paragraph (b) of this section. Special terms will not be lifted until a compliance review has been conducted by the Director, and the Director has approved a determination that the applicant is likely to comply with the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity requirements of WIOA and this part.

(d) Where the Director determines that the grant applicant for Federal financial assistance under Title I of WIOA, if financially assisted, is not likely to comply with the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity requirements of WIOA or this part, the Director must:

(1) Notify, in a timely manner, the Departmental grantmaking agency and the Assistant Attorney General of the findings of the pre-approval compliance review; and

(2) Issue a Letter of Findings. The Letter of Findings must advise the grant applicant, in writing, of:

(i) The preliminary findings of the review;

(ii) The proposed remedial or corrective action under § 38.90 and the time within which the remedial or corrective action should be completed;

(iii) Whether it will be necessary for the grant applicant to enter into a written Conciliation Agreement as described in §§ 38.91 and 38.93; and

(iv) The opportunity to engage in voluntary compliance negotiations.

(e) If a grant applicant has agreed to certain remedial or corrective actions in order to receive WIOA Title I financial assistance, the Department must ensure that the remedial or corrective actions have been taken, or that a Conciliation Agreement has been entered into, before approving the award of further assistance under WIOA Title I. If a grant applicant refuses or fails to take remedial or corrective actions or to enter into a Conciliation Agreement, as applicable, the Director must follow the procedures outlined in §§ 38.95 through 38.97.

§ 38.63 - Authority and procedures for conducting post-approval compliance reviews.

(a) The Director may initiate a post-approval compliance review of any recipient to determine compliance with the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of WIOA and this part. The initiation of a post-approval review may be based on, but need not be limited to, the results of routine program monitoring by other Departmental or Federal agencies, or the nature or frequency of complaints.

(b) A post-approval review must be initiated by a Notification Letter, advising the recipient of:

(1) The practices to be reviewed;

(2) The programs to be reviewed;

(3) The information, records, and/or data to be submitted by the recipient within 30 days of the receipt of the Notification Letter, unless this time frame is modified by the Director; and

(4) The opportunity, at any time before receipt of the Final Determination described in §§ 38.95 and 38.96, to make a documentary or other written submission that explains, validates or otherwise addresses the practices under review.

(c) The Director may conduct post-approval reviews using such techniques as desk audits and on-site reviews.

§ 38.64 - Procedures for concluding post-approval compliance reviews.

(a) Where, as the result of a post-approval review, the Director has made a finding of noncompliance, the Director must issue a Letter of Findings. This Letter must advise the recipient, in writing, of:

(1) The preliminary findings of the review;

(2) Where appropriate, the proposed remedial or corrective action to be taken, and the time by which such action should be completed, as provided in § 38.90;

(3) Whether it will be necessary for the recipient to enter into a written assurance or Conciliation Agreement, as provided in §§ 38.92 and 38.93; and

(4) The opportunity to engage in voluntary compliance negotiations.

(b) Where no violation is found, the recipient must be so informed in writing.

§ 38.65 - Authority to monitor the activities of a Governor.

(a) The Director may periodically review the adequacy of the Nondiscrimination Plan established by a Governor, as well as the adequacy of the Governor's performance under the Nondiscrimination Plan, to determine compliance with the requirements of §§ 38.50 through 38.55. The Director may review the Nondiscrimination Plan during a compliance review under §§ 38.62 and 38.63, or at another time.

(b) Nothing in this subpart limits or precludes the Director from monitoring directly any recipient or from investigating any matter necessary to determine a recipient's compliance with the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of WIOA or this part.

(c) Where the Director determines that the Governor has not complied with the oversight and monitoring responsibilities set forth in the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity requirements of WIOA or this part, the Director may:

(1) Issue a Letter of Findings. The Letter of Findings must advise the Governor, in writing, of:

(i) The preliminary findings of the review;

(ii) The proposed remedial or corrective action under § 38. 90 and the time within which the remedial or corrective action should be completed;

(iii) Whether it will be necessary for the Governor to enter into a conciliation agreement as described in §§ 38.91 and 38.93; and

(iv) The opportunity to engage in voluntary compliance negotiations.

(2) If a Governor refuses or fails to take remedial or corrective actions or to enter into a conciliation agreement, the Director may follow the procedures outlined in §§ 38.89, 38.90, and 38.91.

§ 38.66 - Notice to Show Cause issued to a recipient.

(a) The Director may issue a Notice to Show Cause to a recipient failing to comply with the requirements of this part, where such failure results in the inability of the Director to make a finding. Such a failure includes, but is not limited to, the recipient's failure or refusal to:

(1) Submit requested information, records, and/or data within the timeframe specified in a Notification Letter issued pursuant to § 38.63;

(2) Submit, in a timely manner, information, records, and/or data requested during a compliance review, complaint investigation, or other action to determine a recipient's compliance with the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of WIOA or this part; or

(3) Provide CRC access in a timely manner to a recipient's premises, records, or employees during a compliance review or complaint investigation, as required in § 38.42(c).

(b) The Director may issue a Notice to Show Cause to a recipient after a Letter of Findings and/or an Initial Determination has been issued, and after a reasonable period of time has passed within which the recipient refuses to negotiate a conciliation agreement with the Director regarding the violation(s).

(c) A Notice to Show Cause must contain:

(1) A description of the violation and a citation to the pertinent nondiscrimination or equal opportunity provision(s) of WIOA and this part;

(2) The corrective action necessary to achieve compliance or, as may be appropriate, the concepts and principles of acceptable corrective or remedial action and the results anticipated; and

(3) A request for a written response to the findings, including commitments to corrective action or the presentation of opposing facts and evidence.

(d) A Notice to Show Cause must give the recipient 30 days from receipt of the Notice to show cause why enforcement proceedings under the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of WIOA or this part should not be instituted.

§ 38.67 - Methods by which a recipient may show cause why enforcement proceedings should not be instituted.

A recipient may show cause why enforcement proceedings should not be instituted by, among other means:

(a) Correcting the violation(s) that brought about the Notice to Show Cause and entering into a Conciliation Agreement, under §§ 38.91 and 38.93;

(b) Demonstrating that CRC does not have jurisdiction; or

(c) Demonstrating that the violation alleged by CRC did not occur.

§ 38.68 - Failing to show cause.

If the recipient fails to show cause why enforcement proceedings should not be initiated, the Director may follow the enforcement procedures outlined in § 38.95.

§ 38.60 - Evaluation of compliance.

From time to time, the Director may conduct pre-approval compliance reviews of grant applicants for WIOA Title I-financial assistance to determine the ability to comply with the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of WIOA and this part and may conduct post-approval compliance reviews of recipients to determine compliance with the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of WIOA and this part. Reviews may focus on one or more specific programs or activities, or one or more issues within a program or activity. The Director may also investigate and resolve complaints alleging violations of the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of WIOA and this part.

§ 38.61 - Authority to issue subpoenas.

Section 183(c) of WIOA authorizes the issuance of subpoenas. The subpoena may require the appearance of witnesses, and the production of documents, from any place in the United States, at any designated time and place. A subpoena may direct the individual named on the subpoena to take the following actions:

(a) To appear:

(1) Before a designated CRC representative;

(2) At a designated time and place;

(b) To give testimony; and/or

(c) To produce documentary evidence.

COMPLAINT PROCESSING PROCEDURES
§ 38.69 - Complaint filing.

(a) Any person or the person's representative who believes that any of the following circumstances exist may file a written complaint:

(1) A person, or any specific class of individuals, has been or is being discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, transgender status, and gender identity), national origin (including limited English proficiency), age, disability, political affiliation or belief, citizenship status, or participation in any WIOA Title I-financially assisted program or activity as prohibited by WIOA or this part.

(2) Either the person, or any specific class of individuals, has been or is being retaliated against as described in § 38.19.

(b) A person or the person's representative may file a complaint with either the recipient's EO Officer (or the person the recipient has designated for this purpose) or the Director. Complaints filed with the Director should be sent to the address listed in the notice or filed electronically as described in the notice in § 38.35.

(c) Generally, a complaint must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discrimination or retaliation. However, for good cause shown, the Director may extend the filing time. The time period for filing is for the administrative convenience of CRC, and does not create a defense for the respondent.

§ 38.70 - Required contents of complaint.

Each complaint must be filed in writing, either electronically or in hard copy, and must contain the following information:

(a) The complainant's name, mailing address, and, if available, email address (or another means of contacting the complainant).

(b) The identity of the respondent (the individual or entity that the complainant alleges is responsible for the discrimination).

(c) A description of the complainant's allegations. This description must include enough detail to allow the Director or the recipient, as applicable, to decide whether:

(1) CRC or the recipient, as applicable, has jurisdiction over the complaint;

(2) The complaint was filed in time; and

(3) The complaint has apparent merit; in other words, whether the complainant's allegations, if true, would indicate noncompliance with any of the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of WIOA or this part.

(d) The written or electronic signature of the complainant or the written or electronic signature of the complainant's representative.

(e) A complainant may file a complaint by completing and submitting CRC's Complaint Information and Privacy Act Consent Forms, which may be obtained either from the recipient's EO Officer or from CRC. The forms are available electronically on CRC's Web site, and in hard copy via postal mail upon request. The latter requests may be sent to CRC at the address listed in the notice contained in § 38.35.

§ 38.71 - Right to representation.

Both the complainant and the respondent have the right to be represented by an attorney or other individual of their choice.

§ 38.72 - Required elements of a recipient's complaint processing procedures.

(a) The procedures that a recipient adopts and publishes for processing complaints permitted under this part and WIOA Section 188 must state that the recipient will issue a written Notice of Final Action on complaints within 90 days of the date on which the complaint is filed.

(b) At a minimum, the procedures must include the following elements:

(1) Initial, written notice to the complainant that contains the following information:

(i) An acknowledgment that the recipient has received the complaint; and

(ii) Notice that the complainant has the right to be represented in the complaint process;

(iii) Notice of rights contained in § 38.35; and

(iv) Notice that the complainant has the right to request and receive, at no cost, auxiliary aids and services, language assistance services, and that this notice will be translated into the non-English languages as required in §§ 38.4(h) and (i), 38.34, and 38.36.

(2) A written statement of the issue(s), provided to the complainant, that includes the following information:

(i) A list of the issues raised in the complaint; and

(ii) For each such issue, a statement whether the recipient will accept the issue for investigation or reject the issue, and the reasons for each rejection.

(3) A period for fact-finding or investigation of the circumstances underlying the complaint.

(4) A period during which the recipient attempts to resolve the complaint. The methods available to resolve the complaint must include alternative dispute resolution (ADR), as described in paragraph (c) of this section.

(5) A written Notice of Final Action, provided to the complainant within 90 days of the date on which the complaint was filed, that contains the following information:

(i) For each issue raised in the complaint, a statement of either:

(A) The recipient's decision on the issue and an explanation of the reasons underlying the decision; or

(B) A description of the way the parties resolved the issue; and

(ii) Notice that the complainant has a right to file a complaint with CRC within 30 days of the date on which the Notice of Final Action is received if the complainant is dissatisfied with the recipient's final action on the complaint.

(c) The procedures the recipient adopts must provide for alternative dispute resolution (ADR). The recipient's ADR procedures must provide that:

(1) The complainant may attempt ADR at any time after the complainant has filed a written complaint with the recipient, but before a Notice of Final Action has been issued.

(2) The choice whether to use ADR or the customary process rests with the complainant.

(3) A party to any agreement reached under ADR may notify the Director in the event the agreement is breached. In such circumstances, the following rules will apply:

(i) The non-breaching party may notify with the Director within 30 days of the date on which the non-breaching party learns of the alleged breach; and

(ii) The Director must evaluate the circumstances to determine whether the agreement has been breached. If the Director determines that the agreement has been breached, the complaint will be reinstated and processed in accordance with the recipient's procedures.

(4) If the parties do not reach an agreement under ADR, the complainant may file a complaint with the Director as described in §§ 38.69 through 38.71.

§ 38.73 - Responsibility for developing and publishing complaint processing procedures for service providers.

The Governor or the LWDA grant recipient, as provided in the State's Nondiscrimination Plan, must develop and publish, on behalf of its service providers, the complaint processing procedures required in § 38.72. The service providers must then follow those procedures.

§ 38.74 - Recipient's obligations when it determines that it has no jurisdiction over a complaint.

If a recipient determines that it does not have jurisdiction over a complaint, it must notify the complainant, in writing within five business days of making such determination. This Notice of Lack of Jurisdiction must include:

(a) A statement of the reasons for that determination; and

(b) Notice that the complainant has a right to file a complaint with CRC within 30 days of the date on which the complainant receives the Notice.

§ 38.75 - If the complainant is dissatisfied after receiving a Notice of Final Action.

If the recipient issues its Notice of Final Action before the 90-day period ends, but the complainant is dissatisfied with the recipient's decision on the complaint, the complainant or the complainant's representative may file a complaint with the Director within 30 days after the date on which the complainant receives the Notice.

§ 38.76 - If a recipient fails to issue a Notice of Final Action within 90 days after the complaint was filed.

If, by the end of 90 days from the date on which the complainant filed the complaint, the recipient has failed to issue a Notice of Final Action, the complainant or the complainant's representative may file a complaint with the Director within 30 days of the expiration of the 90-day period. In other words, the complaint must be filed with the Director within 120 days of the date on which the complaint was filed with the recipient.

§ 38.77 - Extension of deadline to file complaint.

(a) The Director may extend the 30-day time limit for filing a complaint:

(1) If a recipient does not include in its Notice of Final Action the required notice about the complainant's right to file with the Director, as described in § 38.72(b)(5); or

(2) For other good cause shown.

(b) The complainant has the burden of proving to the Director that the time limit should be extended.

§ 38.78 - Determinations regarding acceptance of complaints.

The Director must decide whether CRC will accept a particular complaint for resolution. For example, a complaint need not be accepted if:

(a) It has not been timely filed;

(b) CRC has no jurisdiction over the complaint; or

(c) CRC has previously decided the matter.

§ 38.79 - When a complaint contains insufficient information.

(a) If a complaint does not contain enough information to identify the respondent or the basis of the alleged discrimination, the timeliness of the complaint, or the apparent merit of the complaint, the Director must try to get the needed information from the complainant.

(b) The Director may close the complainant's file, without prejudice, if:

(1) The Director makes reasonable efforts to try to find the complainant, but is unable to reach him or her; or

(2) The complainant does not provide the needed information to CRC within the time specified in the request for more information.

(c) If the Director closes the complainant's file, the Director must send written notice to the complainant's last known address, email address (or another known method of contacting the complainant in writing).

§ 38.80 - Lack of jurisdiction.

If CRC does not have jurisdiction over a complaint, the Director must:

(a) Notify the complainant in writing and explain why the complaint falls outside the coverage of the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of WIOA or this part; and

(b) Where possible, transfer the complaint to an appropriate Federal, State or local authority.

§ 38.81 - Complaint referral.

The Director refers complaints to other agencies in the following circumstances:

(a) Where the complaint alleges discrimination based on age, and the complaint falls within the jurisdiction of the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, then the Director must refer the complaint, in accordance with the provisions of 45 CFR 90.43(c)(3).

(b) Where the only allegation in the complaint is a charge of individual employment discrimination that is covered both by WIOA or this part and by one or more of the laws listed in paragraphs (b)(1) through (4) of this section, then the complaint is a “joint complaint,” and the Director may refer it to the EEOC for investigation and conciliation under the procedures described in 29 CFR part 1640 or 1691, as appropriate. The relevant laws are:

(1) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2000e to 2000e–17);

(2) The Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended (29 U.S.C. 206(d));

(3) The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1976, as amended (29 U.S.C. 621, et seq.); and

(4) Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.).

(c) Where the complaint alleges discrimination by an entity that operates a program or activity financially assisted by a Federal grantmaking agency other than the Department, but that participates as a partner in a one-stop delivery system, the following procedures apply:

(1) Where the complaint alleges discrimination on a basis that is prohibited both by Section 188 of WIOA and by a civil rights law enforced by the Federal grantmaking agency, then CRC and the grantmaking agency have dual jurisdiction over the complaint, and the Director will refer the complaint to the grantmaking agency for processing. In such circumstances, the grantmaking agency's regulations will govern the processing of the complaint.

(2) Where the complaint alleges discrimination on a basis that is prohibited by Section 188 of WIOA, but not by any civil rights laws enforced by the Federal grantmaking agency, then CRC has sole jurisdiction over the complaint, and will retain the complaint and process it pursuant to this part. Such bases generally include religion, political affiliation or belief, citizenship, and/or participation in a WIOA Title I-financially assisted program or activity.

(d) Where the Director makes a referral under this section, the Director must notify the complainant and the respondent about the referral.

§ 38.82 - Notice that complaint will not be accepted.

If a complaint will not be accepted, the Director must notify the complainant, in writing, about that fact, and provide the complainant the Director's reasons for making that determination.

§ 38.83 - Notice of complaint acceptance.

If the Director accepts the complaint for resolution, the Director must notify in writing the complainant, the respondent, and the grantmaking agency. The notice must:

(a) State that the complaint will be accepted;

(b) Identify the issues over which CRC has accepted jurisdiction; and

(c) Explain the reasons why any issues were rejected.

§ 38.84 - Contacting CRC about a complaint.

Both the complainant and the respondent, or their representative, may contact CRC for information about the complaint. The Director will determine what information, if any, about the complaint will be released.

§ 38.85 - Alternative dispute resolution.

The Director may offer the option of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) of the complaint filed with CRC. In such circumstances, the following rules apply:

(a) ADR is voluntary; consent must be given by the complainant and respondent before the ADR process will proceed.

(b) The ADR will be conducted under the guidance of the Director.

(c) ADR may take place at any time after a complaint has been filed under § 38.69, as deemed appropriate by the Director.

(d) CRC will not suspend its investigation and complaint processes during ADR.

COMPLAINT DETERMINATIONS
§ 38.86 - Notice at conclusion of complaint investigation.

At the conclusion of the investigation of the complaint, the Director must take the following actions:

(a) Determine whether there is reasonable cause to believe that the respondent has violated the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of WIOA or this part; and

(b) Notify the complainant, the respondent, and the grantmaking agency, in writing, of that determination as provided in §§ 38.87 and 38.88.

§ 38.87 - Director's Initial Determination that reasonable cause exists to believe that a violation has taken place.

If the Director finds reasonable cause to believe that the respondent has violated the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of WIOA or this part the Director must issue an Initial Determination. The Initial Determination must include:

(a) The specific findings of the investigation;

(b) The corrective or remedial action that the Department proposes to the respondent, under § 38.90;

(c) The time by which the respondent must complete the corrective or remedial action;

(d) Whether it will be necessary for the respondent to enter into a written agreement under §§ 38.91 through 38.93; and

(e) The opportunity to engage in voluntary compliance negotiations.

§ 38.88 - Director's Final Determination that no reasonable cause exists to believe that a violation has taken place.

If the Director determines that there is no reasonable cause to believe that a violation has taken place, the Director must issue a Final Determination under § 38.96. The Final Determination represents the Department's final agency action on the complaint.

§ 38.89 - When the recipient fails or refuses to take the corrective action listed in the Initial Determination.

Under such circumstances, following a complaint investigation or compliance review, the Department may take the actions described in § 38.95.

§ 38.90 - Corrective or remedial action that may be imposed when the Director finds a violation.

(a) A Letter of Findings, Notice to Show Cause, or Initial Determination, issued under § 38.62 or § 38.64, §§ 38.66 and 38.67, or § 38.87, respectively, must include the specific steps the grant applicant or recipient, as applicable, must take within a stated period of time in order to achieve voluntary compliance.

(b) Such steps may include:

(1) Actions to end and/or redress the violation of the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of WIOA or this part;

(2) Make-whole relief where discrimination has been identified, including, as appropriate, back pay (which must not accrue from a date more than 2 years before the filing of the complaint or the initiation of a compliance review), or other monetary relief; hire or reinstatement; retroactive seniority; promotion; benefits or other services discriminatorily denied; and

(3) Such other remedial or affirmative relief as the Director deems necessary, including but not limited to outreach, recruitment and training designed to ensure equal opportunity.

(c) Monetary relief may not be paid from Federal funds.

§ 38.91 - Post-violation procedures.

(a) Violations at the State level. Where the Director has determined that a violation of the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of WIOA or this part has occurred at the State level, the Director must notify the Governor of that State through the issuance of a Letter of Findings, Notice to Show Cause, or Initial Determination, as appropriate, under § 38.62 or § 38.64, §§ 38.66 and 38.67, or § 38.87, respectively. The Director may secure compliance with the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of WIOA and this part through, among other means, the execution of a written assurance or Conciliation Agreement.

(b) Violations below State level. Where the Director has determined that a violation of the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of WIOA or this part has occurred below the State level, the Director must so notify the Governor and the violating recipient(s) through the issuance of a Letter of Findings, Notice to Show Cause or Initial Determination, as appropriate, under § 38.62 or § 38.64, §§ 38.66 and 38.67, or § 38.87, respectively.

(1) Such issuance may:

(i) Direct the Governor to initiate negotiations immediately with the violating recipient(s) to secure compliance by voluntary means.

(ii) Direct the Governor to complete such negotiations within 30 days of the Governor's receipt of the Notice to Show Cause or within 45 days of the Governor's receipt of the Letter of Findings or Initial Determination, as applicable. The Director reserves the right to enter into negotiations with the recipient at any time during the period. For good cause shown, the Director may approve an extension of time to secure voluntary compliance. The total time allotted to secure voluntary compliance must not exceed 60 days.

(iii) Include a determination as to whether compliance must be achieved by:

(A) Immediate correction of the violation(s) and written assurance that such violations have been corrected, under § 38.92; or

(B) Entering into a written Conciliation Agreement under § 38.93.

(2) If the Governor determines, at any time during the period described in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, that a recipient's compliance cannot be achieved by voluntary means, the Governor must so notify the Director.

(3) If the Governor is able to secure voluntary compliance under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the Governor must submit to the Director for approval, as applicable:

(i) Written assurance that the required action has been taken, as described in § 38.92; or

(ii) A copy of the Conciliation Agreement, as described in § 38.93.

(4) The Director may disapprove any written assurance or Conciliation Agreement submitted for approval under paragraph (b)(3) of this section that fails to satisfy each of the applicable requirements provided in §§ 38.92 and 38.93.

(c) Violations in National Programs. Where the Director has determined that a violation of the nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of WIOA or this part has occurred in a National Program, the Director must notify the Federal grantmaking agency and the recipient by issuing a Letter of Findings, Notice to Show Cause, or Initial Determination, as appropriate, under § 38.62 or § 38.63, §§ 38.66 and 38.67, or § 38.87, respectively. The Director may secure compliance with the nondiscrimination and equal opportunities provisions of WIOA through, among other means, the execution of a written assurance or conciliation agreement under § 38.92 or § 38.93.

§ 38.92 - Written assurance.

A written assurance is the resolution document that may be used when the Director determines that a recipient has, within fifteen business days after receipt of the Letter of Findings or Initial Determination identifying the violations, taken all corrective actions to remedy the violations specified in those documents.

§ 38.93 - Required elements of a conciliation agreement.

A conciliation agreement must:

(a) Be in writing;

(b) Address the legal and contractual obligations of the recipient;

(c) Address each cited violation;

(d) Specify the corrective or remedial action to be taken within a stated period of time to come into compliance;

(e) Provide for periodic reporting on the status of the corrective and remedial action;

(f) State that the violation(s) will not recur;

(g) State that nothing in the agreement will prohibit CRC from sending the agreement to the complainant, making it available to the public, or posting it on the CRC or recipient's Web site;

(h) State that, in any proceeding involving an alleged violation of the conciliation agreement, CRC may seek enforcement of the agreement itself and shall not be required to present proof of the underlying violations resolved by the agreement; and

(i) Provide for enforcement for a breach of the agreement.

§ 38.94 - When voluntary compliance cannot be secured.

The Director will conclude that compliance cannot be secured by voluntary means under the following circumstances:

(a) The Governor, grant applicant or recipient fails to or refuses to correct the violation(s) within the time period established by the Letter of Findings, Notice to Show Cause or Initial Determination; or

(b) The Director has not approved an extension of time for agreement on voluntary compliance under § 38.91(b)(1)(ii) and the Director either:

(1) Has not been notified under § 38.91(b)(3) that the Governor, grant applicant, or recipient has agreed to voluntary compliance;

(2) Has disapproved a written assurance or Conciliation Agreement, under § 38.91(b)(4); or

(3) Has received notice from the Governor, under § 38.91(b)(2), that the grant applicant or recipient will not comply voluntarily.

§ 38.95 - Enforcement when voluntary compliance cannot be secured.

If the Director concludes that compliance cannot be secured by voluntary means, the Director must either:

(a) Issue a Final Determination;

(b) Refer the matter to the Attorney General with a recommendation that an appropriate civil action be instituted; or

(c) Take such other action as may be provided by law.

§ 38.96 - Contents of a Final Determination of a violation.

A Final Determination must contain the following information:

(a) A statement of the efforts made to achieve voluntary compliance, and a statement that those efforts have been unsuccessful;

(b) A statement of those matters upon which the grant applicant or recipient and CRC continue to disagree;

(c) A list of any modifications to the findings of fact or conclusions that were set forth in the Initial Determination, Notice to Show Cause or Letter of Findings;

(d) A statement of the grant applicant's or recipient's liability, and, if appropriate, the extent of that liability;

(e) A description of the corrective or remedial actions that the grant applicant or recipient must take to come into compliance;

(f) A notice that if the grant applicant or recipient fails to come into compliance within 10 days of the date on which it receives the Final Determination, one or more of the following consequences may result:

(1) After the grant applicant or recipient is given the opportunity for a hearing, its WIOA Title I financial assistance may be terminated, discontinued, or withheld in whole or in part, or its application for such financial assistance may be denied, as appropriate;

(2) The Secretary of Labor may refer the case to the Department of Justice with a request to file suit against the grant applicant or recipient; or

(3) The Secretary may take any other action against the grant applicant or recipient that is provided by law;

(g) A notice of the grant applicant's or recipient's right to request a hearing under the procedures described in §§ 38.112 through 37.115; and

(h) A determination of the Governor's liability, if any, under § 38.52.

§ 38.97 - Notification of finding of noncompliance.

Where a compliance review or complaint investigation results in a finding of noncompliance, the Director must notify:

(a) The grant applicant or recipient;

(b) The grantmaking agency; and

(c) The Assistant Attorney General.

BREACHES OF CONCILIATION AGREEMENTS
§ 38.98 - Notification of Breach of Conciliation Agreement.

(a) When it becomes known to the Director that a Conciliation Agreement has been breached, the Director may issue a Notification of Breach of Conciliation Agreement.

(b) The Director must send a Notification of Breach of Conciliation Agreement to the Governor, the grantmaking agency, and/or other party(ies) to the Conciliation Agreement, as applicable.

§ 38.99 - Contents of Notification of Breach of Conciliation Agreement.

A Notification of Breach of Conciliation Agreement must:

(a) Specify any efforts made to achieve voluntary compliance, and indicate that those efforts have been unsuccessful;

(b) Identify the specific provisions of the Conciliation Agreement violated;

(c) Determine liability for the violation and the extent of the liability;

(d) Indicate that failure of the violating party to come into compliance within 10 days of the receipt of the Notification of Breach of Conciliation Agreement may result, after opportunity for a hearing, in the termination or denial of the grant, or discontinuation of assistance, as appropriate, or in referral to the Department of Justice with a request from the Department to file suit;

(e) Advise the violating party of the right to request a hearing, and reference the applicable procedures in § 38.111; and

(f) Include a determination as to the Governor's liability, if any, in accordance with the provisions of § 38.52.

§ 38.100 - Notification of an enforcement action based on breach of conciliation agreement.

In such circumstances, the Director must notify:

(a) The grantmaking agency; and

(b) The Governor, recipient or grant applicant, as applicable.

authority: 29 U.S.C. 3101
source: 81 FR 87211, Dec. 2, 2016, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 29 CFR 38.72