Notice of Your Rights under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
What is Title VI? | Title VI Policy | What discrimination is prohibited by the CT DEEP Title VI Program? | Additional Information
What is Title VI?
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin (including limited English proficiency) in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. Specifically, Title VI provides that "no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." (42 U.S.C. Section 2000d). Other federal laws and orders have expanded the scope of Title VI to include sex, disability, and age.
Title VI Policy
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation, denied benefits, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under any DEEP program or activity, on the basis of race, color, national origin, and other nondiscrimination directives in accordance with Title VI and Connecticut law, Chapter 814c.
This policy contains step-by-step procedures for non-employees who have a good faith belief that they have been unlawfully discriminated against by DEEP on the basis of race, color, national origin (including limited English Proficiency), disability, age or sex, to submit detailed and timely complaints to DEEP’s Title VI Designee. This policy also describes the process that will be used to investigate and resolve such complaints. These procedures shall neither prevent, unduly hinder nor disrupt DEEP from carrying out its administrative or regulatory duties including, but not limited to, permitting, rulemaking or enforcement operations.
As a recipient of federal financial assistance, DEEP will ensure full compliance in all DEEP sponsored programs and activities with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, and related statutes and regulations including: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Section 13 of Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. DEEP also pledges that every effort will be made to avoid discrimination in all of its programs and activities, whether those programs and activities are federally funded or not.
Any person who believes that he or she has been subjected to discrimination or retaliation based on race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), sex, age, or disability, may file a formal complaint. A signed, written complaint must be filed by the affected party or a representative within 300 days of the date of the alleged discrimination.
1. Submission of complaint: Please mail, email or fax the signed and dated complaint to:
DEEP Title VI Designee
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106
Fax: (860) 424-4153
A Complaint Form is available here.
2. Referral and Confirmation: Upon receipt, the complaint will be logged in and forwarded to the Title VI Designee of the Department responsible for the service, benefit, activity or program referenced on the DEEP Complaint Form. Within 10 business days of receipt of the complaint, the Title VI Designee will mail a letter to the complainant and respondent confirming receipt of the Complaint Form.
3. Investigation: The Title VI Designee will investigate the complaint. Investigations may include interviews with the complainant, respondent and appropriate witnesses, relevant DEEP personnel and contractors, if any. The investigation may also include requests for relevant documents from the complainant, respondent and witnesses.
4. Departmental Determination: Upon completion of the investigation, the Title VI Designee will mail a written determination to the complainant.
For more information on what type of complaints can be filed with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, contact Tanya A. Hughes, Executive Director (860) 541-3400.
Title VI Complaints may also be filed directly with:
- Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, 450 Columbus Boulevard Suite 2 Hartford Connecticut 06103; Phone: 860-541-3400; Email: chro.capitol@ct.gov
- US Environmental Protection Agency Office of External Civil Rights, Mail Code 230A 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Washington, DC 20460; Phone: (202) 564-3316; Email: title_vi_complaints@epa.gov
- US EPA, Regional I, Regional Administrator, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100 Boston, MA 02109-3912; (617) 918-1111; Email: r1web.mail@epa.gov
- US Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Federal Coordination and Compliance Section, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. 4CON, 7th Floor Washington, D.C. 205300; Title VI Hotline: 1-888-TITLE-06 (1-888-848-5306); Email: FCS.CRT@usdoj.gov
What discrimination is prohibited by the CT DEEP Title VI Program?
Discrimination, under our Title VI program, is an act (action or inaction) whether intentional or unintentional, through which a person or group, solely because of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability has been otherwise subjected to unequal treatment or impact, under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). CT DEEP also complies with Connecticut General Statutes §§ 46a-64, 46a-68d, 46a-70 to 46a-78, 46a-81d inclusive, prohibiting unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran's status or marital status.
In operating US EPA-assisted programs, a recipient cannot discriminate either directly or through contractual or other means by:
- Denying programs, services, financial aids, or other benefits;
- Providing different program services, financial aids or other benefits, or providing them in manner different from that provided to others;
- Segregating or separately treating individuals or groups in any matter related to the receipt of any program service, financial aid or benefit;
- Restricting in any way the enjoyment of any advantage or privilege enjoyed by others receiving any program service, financial aid or other benefits;
- Denying person(s) the opportunity to participate as a member of a planning, advisory or similar body;
- Denying person(s) the opportunity to participate in the program through the provision of services, or affording the opportunity to do so differently from those afforded others.
Additional Information
DEEP Health Equity Policy Statement
DEEP Environmental Justice Program
For additional information, or free language assistance, please call (860) 418-5910 or deep.accommodations@ct.gov.
Para información adicional, o asistencia lingüística gratuita, por favor llame al (860) 418-5910
Per informazioni aggiuntive o assistenza linguistica gratuita, chiamare il numero (860) 418-5910
Para obter mais informações, ou para auxílio gratuito em outro idioma, ligue para (860) 418-5910
如需更多信息或免费语言协助，请致电 (860) 418-5910
Aby uzyskać dodatkowe informacje lub bezpłatną pomoc tłumacza, proszę dzwonić pod numer (860) 418-5910
Для получения подробной информации или бесплатных услуг перевода звоните по телефону (860) 418-5910
Pou jwenn plis enfòmasyon, oswa asistans ak lang gratis, ranpri rele (860) 418-5910
لمزيد من المعلومات أو للحصول على مساعدة لغوية مجانية، يرجى الاتصال بالرقم (860) 418-5910
Si vous souhaitez en savoir plus ou bénéficier d'une assistance linguistique gratuite, merci de composer le numéro suivant (860) 418-5910
अधिक जानकारी या धनिःशुल्क भाषा संबंिी सहायता के धिए कृपया (860) पर कॉि करें।
추가 정보가 필요하거나 무료 언어 지원이 필요하시면 (860) 418-5910로 전화주십시오
Để có thêm thông tin hoặc hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí, vui lòng gọi (860) 418-5910
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VI. Please contact us at (860) 418-5910 or deep.accommodations@ct.gov if you: have a disability and need a communication aid or service; have limited proficiency in English and may need information in another language; or if you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint. Any person needing a hearing accommodation may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711. In order to facilitate efforts to provide an accommodation, please request all accommodations as soon as possible following notice of any agency hearing, meeting, program or event.
El Departamento de Energía y Protección Ambiental de Connecticut es un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades y acción afirmativa y que se compromete a cumplir con los requisitos de la Ley para Estadounidenses con Discapacidades y el Título VI. Comuníquese con nosotros al (860) 418-5910 o deep.accommodations@ct.gov si: tiene una discapacidad y necesita un servicio o ayuda de comunicación; tiene un dominio limitado del inglés y necesita información en otro idioma; o si desea presentar una queja de discriminación en virtud de la Acta de Americanos con Incapacidades o el Título VI. Cualquier persona que necesite una adaptación auditiva puede llamar al número de retransmisión del estado de Connecticut: 711. Para facilitar los esfuerzos para proporcionar una adaptación, solicite todas las adaptaciones lo antes posible después de recibir la notificación de cualquier audiencia publica, reunión, programa o evento de la agencia.
O Departamento de Energia e Proteção Ambiental (DEEP) de Connecticut é um Empregador de Ação Afirmativa/Oportunidades Iguais (ADA) que está comprometido em cumprir com os requisitos do Ato Juridico “Americanos com Deficiência” e do Título VI. Por favor, entre em contato conosco pelo telefone (860) 418-5910 ou email deep.accommodations@ct.gov se você: tem uma deficiência e precisa de um auxílio ou serviço de ajuda de comunicação; tem proficiência limitada em inglês e precise de informações em outro idioma; ou se deseja registrar uma reclamação de discriminação do ADA ou do Título VI. Qualquer pessoa que precise de uma acomodação auditiva e ajuda de comunicação pode ligar para o número de retransmissão de intérpretes do Estado de Connecticut - 711. Para facilitar nossos esforços em providenciar uma acomodação adequada, nos avise com antecedência, logo após o aviso de qualquer audiência, reunião, programa ou evento da agência.
康涅狄格州能源和环境保护厅是一个坚定遵守美国残疾人法和民权法案第六章的平权行动/平等机会的单位。如果你：有残障需要沟通协助和服务，有限英语水平可能需要其它语言资料，或者你想要呈交美国残疾人法案或第六章岐视投诉, 请给我们打这个电话（860）418-5910 或发电子邮件到deep.accommodations@ct.gov。任何人需要听证会住宿可以打康涅狄格州的中继号码 - 711。为了方便提供住宿，请你尽快在接到任何机构的听证会, 会议, 计划或活动通知后提交所有的住宿请求。
Content last updated September, 2022