Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and 20 other state attorneys general have formally opposed a Department of Energy (DOE) proposal to scale back regulations that support anti-discrimination protections. According to Mass.gov, the group submitted four joint comment letters expressing concern that the changes could weaken enforcement under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
These laws help ensure equal access in areas such as education, healthcare, and housing. The proposed changes, made through a direct final rule process that shortens the public comment period to 30 days, could also affect accessibility requirements for DOE-funded buildings.
The attorneys general argue that removing these regulations would eliminate key tools for addressing discrimination based on race, national origin, sex, and disability. They also cite potential violations of the Administrative Procedure Act, which requires federal agencies to inform the public and allow for public feedback before making regulatory changes.
States joining Massachusetts include Arizona, California, and New York. The coalition emphasized that the rollback could make DOE-funded facilities less accessible for individuals with disabilities by eliminating existing design standards.
