Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a federal law. It protects individuals and groups from discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. Specifically, 42 USC 2000d states:
"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."
The Department of Transportation's legal obligations are stated in MnDOT’s Title VI and Nondiscrimination Policy:
"Federal and state law prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, low-income status, creed, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and status with regard to public assistance. MnDOT is committed to ensuring that no person in the State of Minnesota is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination on the basis of these protected classes under any and all programs, services, or activities administered by the department and its subrecipients and contractors. Additionally, MnDOT is committed to ensuring that its programs incorporate access for people with limited English proficiency.
"Any person who believes that they, individually, or as a member of any specific class of persons, have been subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, low-income status, creed, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or status with regard to public assistance may file a discrimination complaint with MnDOT. All complaints received by MnDOT must be routed promptly to the Title VI Coordinator in the Office of Civil Rights.”
