What are the civil rights laws governing TANF agencies?

TANF agencies receive funding from the Federal government. As such, they must comply with certain Federal civil rights laws that apply to entities that receive Federal funding. These laws include: (1) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 United States Code (U.S.C.) §§ 2000d, et seq., and its implementing regulations at 45 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Part 80 (Title VI); (2) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. §§ 794, et seq., and its implementing regulations at 45 C.F.R. Part 84 (Section 504); (3) the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, 42 U.S.C. §§ 6101, et seq., and its implementing regulations at 45 C.F.R. Part 91 (Age Discrimination Act); and (4) Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681, et seq., and its implementing regulations at 45 C.F.R. Part 86 (Title IX).

TANF agencies are typically part of state or local governments. As such, they must comply with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12131, et seq., and its implementing regulations at 28 C.F.R. Part 35 (ADA), which apply to State and local governments.

All of these Federal civil rights laws prohibit certain types of discrimination. Title VI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin. Section 504 and the ADA prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. The Age Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of age. Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity).