Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined attorneys general nationwide in opposing a U.S. Department of Energy proposal that would roll back civil rights protections in federally funded programs, citing concerns over reduced accessibility, weakened anti-discrimination enforcement, and lack of public input.
Per the news release distributed on Tuesday, June 17: “Attorney General Anthony G. Brown is standing with attorneys general across the country to oppose a plan by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that would weaken civil rights protections against discrimination based on race, sex, and disability. The Department of Energy recently proposed changes that would eliminate key rules that protect people’s rights in federally funded programs and buildings.
These protections are based on longstanding civil rights laws—such as the Civil Rights Act, the Education Amendments, and the Rehabilitation Act—that help ensure equal access to education, healthcare, housing, and more. In proposing these changes, the DOE is bypassing the standard rulemaking process and limiting the public’s opportunity to comment.
Attorney General Brown and other state leaders are urging the DOE to reverse course. They submitted four official comments outlining how the proposed changes would:
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Make it harder to investigate and stop discrimination in federally funded programs;
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Remove accessibility rules that ensure people with disabilities can use DOE-funded buildings such as schools, labs, and energy facilities;
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Violate federal law by skipping the proper rulemaking process that requires public input.
The DOE’s plan is part of a fast-track process that would allow the new rules to take effect automatically unless enough public opposition is voiced. Attorney General Brown emphasized that Marylanders—and all Americans—deserve equal access to public programs and services without discrimination or barriers.”
Copies of the submitted letters: