1. (a) All grant and contract recipients shall:

   1. (1) Establish an informal process for the resolution of complaints by clients of the Department who believe that they have been discriminated against by the contractor or grantee or by an employer of the contractor or grantee based upon any of the protected statuses specified in Section 7351(b). The contractor or grantee shall ensure that, at a minimum, the informal resolution process shall include all of the following procedures:

      1. (A) As soon as a client of the Department has been accepted for services, the contractor or grantee shall inform the individual of his/her right to file a complaint of discrimination within 180 days of the alleged discrimination with any of the following:

         1. 1. The contractor or grantee, through its informal resolution process.
         2. 2. The Department, through the Chief, Office of Civil Rights and Affirmative Action.
         3. 3. The U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.

      2. (B) The informal resolution process shall:

         1. 1. Take no more than 20 working days to complete.
         2. 2. Include written notification to the individual describing the disposition of the complaint along with a statement that the individual, if dissatisfied with the disposition, has 30 days to file a complaint with the Department's Chief, Office of Civil Rights and Affirmative Action or U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.
   2. (2) Document and maintain information related to discrimination complaints filed by clients of the Department and the actions taken to resolve those complaints.
   3. (3) Upon request, disclose to the Department the information maintained in accordance with (B)(2).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 19006 and 19016, Welfare and Institutions Code. Reference: 34 CFR 104.7, 104.51 and 104.61.

History

1. New section filed 7-6-94; operative 8-5-94 (Register 94, No. 27).