--- kind: "section" citation: "42 U.S.C. § 300x–57" title: "42" title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare" number: "300x–57" heading: "Nondiscrimination" release: "119-102" date: "2026-07-12" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/300x-57" units: - "Chapter 6A — Public Health Service" - "Subchapter XVII — Block Grants" - "Part B — Block Grants Regarding Mental Health and Substance Use" - "Subpart iii — general provisions" --- # §300x–57. Nondiscrimination - (a) **In general—** - (1) **Rule of construction regarding certain civil rights laws—** For the purpose of applying the prohibitions against discrimination on the basis of age under the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 [[42 U.S.C. 6101](/usc/42/6101.md) et seq.], on the basis of handicap under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [[29 U.S.C. 794](/usc/29/794.md)], on the basis of sex under title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 [[20 U.S.C. 1681](/usc/20/1681.md) et seq.], or on the basis of race, color, or national origin under title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 [[42 U.S.C. 2000d](/usc/42/2000d.md) et seq.], [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) and activities funded in whole or in part with funds made available under section [300x](/usc/42/300x.md) or [300x–21](/usc/42/300x–21.md) of this title shall be considered to be [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) and activities receiving Federal financial assistance. - (2) **Prohibition—** No person shall on the ground of sex (including, in the case of a woman, on the ground that the woman is pregnant), or on the ground of religion, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under, any [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) or activity funded in whole or in part with funds made available under section [300x](/usc/42/300x.md) or [300x–21](/usc/42/300x–21.md) of this title. - (b) **Enforcement—** - (1) **Referrals to Attorney General after notice—** Whenever the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) finds that a [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f), or an entity that has received a payment pursuant to section [300x](/usc/42/300x.md) or [300x–21](/usc/42/300x–21.md) of this title, has failed to comply with a provision of law referred to in [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1), with [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2), or with an applicable regulation (including one prescribed to carry out [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2)), the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall notify the chief executive officer of the [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) and shall request the chief executive officer to secure compliance. If within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 60 days, the chief executive officer fails or refuses to secure compliance, the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may— - (A) refer the matter to the Attorney General with a recommendation that an appropriate civil action be instituted; - (B) exercise the powers and functions provided by the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 [[42 U.S.C. 6101](/usc/42/6101.md) et seq.], section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [[29 U.S.C. 794](/usc/29/794.md)], title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 [[20 U.S.C. 1681](/usc/20/1681.md) et seq.], or title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 [[42 U.S.C. 2000d](/usc/42/2000d.md) et seq.], as may be applicable; or - (C) take such other actions as may be authorized by law. - (2) **Authority of Attorney General—** When a matter is referred to the Attorney General pursuant to [paragraph (1)(A)](#b-1-A), or whenever the Attorney General has reason to believe that a [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) or an entity is engaged in a pattern or practice in [violation](/usc/42/2000e–16a.md?p=c) of a provision of law referred to in [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1) or in [violation](/usc/42/2000e–16a.md?p=c) of [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2), the Attorney General may bring a civil action in any appropriate district court of the United States for such relief as may be appropriate, including injunctive relief. ## Source credit (July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XIX, § 1947, as added Pub. L. 102–321, title II, § 203(a), July 10, 1992, 106 Stat. 407.) ## Notes ### Editorial Notes ### References in Text The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1) and (b)(1)(B), is title III of Pub. L. 94–135, Nov. 28, 1975, 89 Stat. 728, which is classified generally to chapter 76 (§ 6101 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 6101 of this title and Tables. The Education Amendments of 1972, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1) and (b)(1)(B), is Pub. L. 92–318, June 23, 1972, 86 Stat. 235. Title IX of the Act, known as the Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act, is classified principally to chapter 38 (§ 1681 et seq.) of Title 20, Education. For complete classification of title IX to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1681 of Title 20 and Tables. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, referred to in subsecs. (a)(1) and (b)(1)(B), is Pub. L. 88–352, July 2, 1964, 78 Stat. 241. Title VI of the Act is classified generally to subchapter V (§ 2000d et seq.) of chapter 21 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2000a of this title and Tables.