<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".16" citation="COMAR 07.02.16.16" title_num="07" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="16" heading="Discrimination.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>An individual in the United States may not be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance on the grounds of race, color, sex, national origin, or religious and political beliefs.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>An individual acting on behalf of a vulnerable adult, who believes the vulnerable adult has been discriminated against may file a written complaint that sets forth the events and circumstances of the alleged discrimination.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Complaints may be filed with:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Secretary of Human Services;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Office of Employment and Program Equity; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Office of Civil Rights, Department of Health and Human Services, Region III, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The Department shall investigate promptly and notify the complainant of its findings within 60 days.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>