--- kind: "section" citation: "42 U.S.C. § 9918" title: "42" title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare" number: "9918" heading: "Limitations on use of funds" release: "119-102" date: "2026-07-12" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/9918" units: - "Chapter 106 — Community Services Block Grant Program" --- # §9918. Limitations on use of funds - (a) **Construction of facilities—** - (1) **Limitations—** Except as provided in [paragraph (2)](#a-2), grants made under this chapter (other than amounts reserved under [section 9903(b)(3) of this title](/usc/42/9903.md?p=b-3)) may not be used by the [State](/usc/42/9902.md?p=5), or by any other person with which the [State](/usc/42/9902.md?p=5) makes arrangements to carry out the purposes of this chapter, for the purchase or improvement of land, or the purchase, [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7), or permanent improvement (other than low-cost residential weatherization or other energy-related home repairs) of any building or other facility. - (2) **Waiver—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/9902.md?p=4) may waive the limitation contained in [paragraph (1)](#a-1) upon a [State](/usc/42/9902.md?p=5) request for such a waiver, if the [Secretary](/usc/42/9902.md?p=4) finds that the request describes extraordinary circumstances to justify the purchase of land or the [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7) of facilities (or the making of permanent improvements) and that permitting the waiver will contribute to the ability of the [State](/usc/42/9902.md?p=5) to carry out the purposes of this chapter. - (b) **Political activities—** - (1) **Treatment as a State or local agency—** For purposes of [chapter 15](/usc/5/chptII/ch15.md) of title 5, any entity that assumes responsibility for planning, developing, and coordinating activities under this chapter and receives assistance under this chapter shall be deemed to be a [State](/usc/42/9902.md?p=5) or local [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1). For purposes of paragraphs [(1)](/usc/42/1502.md) and [(2)](/usc/42/1502.md) of section 1502(a) of such title, any entity receiving assistance under this chapter shall be deemed to be a [State](/usc/42/9902.md?p=5) or local [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1). - (2) **Prohibitions—** Programs assisted under this chapter shall not be carried on in a manner involving the use of program funds, the provision of services, or the employment or assignment of personnel, in a manner supporting or resulting in the identification of such programs with— - (A) any partisan or nonpartisan political activity or any political activity associated with a candidate, or contending faction or group, in an election for public or party office; - (B) any activity to provide voters or prospective voters with transportation to the polls or similar assistance in connection with any such election; or - (C) any voter registration activity. - (3) **Rules and regulations—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/9902.md?p=4), after consultation with the Office of Personnel Management, shall issue rules and regulations to provide for the enforcement of this subsection, which shall include provisions for summary suspension of assistance or other action necessary to permit enforcement on an emergency basis. - (c) **Nondiscrimination—** - (1) **In general—** No person shall, on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under, any program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds made available under this chapter. Any prohibition 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.) or with respect to an otherwise qualified individual with a disability as provided in section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ([29 U.S.C. 794](/usc/29/794.md)), or title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ([42 U.S.C. 12131](/usc/42/12131.md) et seq.) shall also apply to any such program or activity. - (2) **Action of Secretary—** Whenever the [Secretary](/usc/42/9902.md?p=4) determines that a [State](/usc/42/9902.md?p=5) that has received a payment under this chapter has failed to comply with [paragraph (1)](#c-1) or an applicable regulation, the [Secretary](/usc/42/9902.md?p=4) shall notify the chief executive officer of the [State](/usc/42/9902.md?p=5) and shall request that the officer 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/42/9902.md?p=4) is authorized to— - (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 title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ([42 U.S.C. 2000d](/usc/42/2000d.md) et seq.), 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)), or title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ([42 U.S.C. 12131](/usc/42/12131.md) et seq.), as may be applicable; or - (C) take such other action as may be provided by law. - (3) **Action of Attorney General—** When a matter is referred to the Attorney General pursuant to [paragraph (2)](#c-2), or whenever the Attorney General has reason to believe that the [State](/usc/42/9902.md?p=5) is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination in [violation](/usc/42/2000e–16a.md?p=c) of the provisions of this subsection, the Attorney General may bring a civil action in any appropriate United States district court for such relief as may be appropriate, including injunctive relief. ## Source credit (Pub. L. 97–35, title VI, § 678F, as added Pub. L. 105–285, title II, § 201, Oct. 27, 1998, 112 Stat. 2747.) ## Notes ### Editorial Notes ### References in Text The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), (2)(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 Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), (2)(B), is Pub. L. 101–336, July 26, 1990, 104 Stat. 327. Title II of the Act is classified generally to subchapter II (§ 12131 et seq.) of chapter 126 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 12101 of this title and Tables. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(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.