Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states:

"No person in the United States shall, on the grounds 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 Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of its transit services on the basis of race, color or national origin, as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

History of Title VI

The landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a product of the growing demand during the early 1960s for the Federal Government to launch a nationwide offensive against racial discrimination.

In calling for its enactment, President John F. Kennedy identified "simple justice" as the justification for Title VI:

"Simple justice requires that public funds,to which all taxpayers of all races contribute, not be spent in any fashion which encourages, entrenches, subsidizes, or results in racial discrimination. Direct discrimination by Federal, State, or local governments is prohibited by the Constitution. But indirect discrimination, through the use of Federal funds, is just as invidious; and it should not be necessary to resort to the courts to prevent each individual violation."

President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law on July 2, 1964.

Discrimination Prohibited by Title VI

There are many forms of illegal discrimination based on race, color, or national origin that limit the opportunity of minorities to gain equal access to services and programs.

Among other things, in operating a federally-assisted program the MTA and its sub-recipients cannot on the basis of race, color, or national origin, either directly
or indirectly:

• Deny program services, aids, or benefits
• Provide a different service, aid, or benefit, or provide them in a manner differently
  than they are provided to others
• Segregate or separately treat individuals in any matter related to the receipt of
  any services, aid, or benefit

Service, aids or benefits can include: routing, scheduling, and quality of transportation services (i.e., frequency of service, age and quality of vehicles assigned to routes).

How To File a Complaint

If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination under Title VI based on your race, color, national origin, or any aspect of this policy, you may file a complaint up to 180 days from the date of the alleged discrimination. The complaint should include the following information:

• Your name, address, and how to contact you (i.e., telephone number, email address, etc.)
• How, when, where, and why you believe you were discriminated against. Include the
  location, names and contact information of any witnesses.

The complaint may be filed in writing to: Office of Fair Practices Maryland Transit
Administration 6 Saint Paul Street Baltimore, Maryland 21202 mta.maryland.gov 410-767-3944

Title VI Resources

Feel free to use the following resources to find more detailed information on Title VI:

• Download MTA Title VI Brochure
• U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Civil Rights
• Title VI Regulation 49 CFR 21
• DOT Guidance on Special Language Services to LEP Beneficiaries
• Limited English Proficieny Executive Order
• Environmental Justice Executive Order
• DOT Order to Address Environmental Justice
• Federal Transit Administration - Title VI Home Page
• Circular 4702.1A, "Title VI and Title VI - Dependent Guidelines for FTA Recipients"
• MDOT LEP Policy