PART 900—INTERGOVERNMENTAL PERSONNEL ACT PROGRAMS Authority: Sec. 503, Pub. L. 91-648, 84 Stat. 1926 (42 U.S.C. 4763), unless otherwise noted. Source: 36 FR 15515, Aug. 17, 1971, unless otherwise noted. Subparts A-C [Reserved] Subpart D—Nondiscrimination in Federally Assisted Programs in the Office of Personnel Management—Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Authority: Sec. 602, 78 Stat. 252 (42 U.S.C. 2000d-1). Source: 38 FR 17920, July 5, 1973, unless otherwise noted. § 900.401 Purpose. The purpose of this subpart is to effectuate the provisions of title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (hereafter referred to as title VI) to the end that a person in the United States shall not, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under a program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance from OPM. § 900.402 Application of this subpart. (a) This subpart applies to each program for which Federal financial assistance is authorized under a law administered by OPM, including the federally assisted programs listed in appendix A to this subpart. It also applies to money paid, property transferred, or other Federal financial assistance extended under a program after the effective date of this subpart pursuant to an application approved before that effective date. This subpart does not apply to: (1) Federal financial assistance by way of insurance or guaranty contracts; (2) Money paid, property transferred, or other assistance extended under a program before the effective date of this subpart, except when the assistance was subject to the title VI regulations of an agency whose responsibilities are now exercised by OPM; (3) Assistance to any individual who is the ultimate beneficiary under a program; or (4) Employment practices, under a program, of an employer, employment agency, or labor organization, except to the extent described in § 900.404(c). The fact that a program is not listed in appendix A to this subpart does not mean, if title VI is otherwise applicable, that the program is not covered. Other programs under statutes now in force or hereinafter enacted may be added to appendix A to this subpart. (b) In a program receiving Federal financial assistance in the form, or for the acquisition, of real property or an interest in real property, to the extent that rights to space on, over, or under that property are included as part of the program receiving that assistance, the nondiscrimination requirement of this subpart extends to a facility located wholly or in part in that space. § 900.403 Definitions. Unless the context requires otherwise, in this subpart: (a) Applicant application (b) Facility (c) Federal financial assistance (1) Grants and loans of Federal funds; (2) The grant or donation of Federal property and interests in property; (3) The detail of Federal personnel; (4) The sale and lease of, and the permission to use (on other than a casual or transient basis), Federal property or any interest in the property without consideration or at a nominal consideration, or at a consideration which is reduced for the purpose of assisting the recipient, or in recognition of the public interest to be served by the sale or lease to the recipient; and (5) A Federal agreement, arrangement, or other contract which has as one of its purposes the provision of assistance. (d) Primary recipient (e) Program (f) Recipient (g) Director § 900.404 Discrimination prohibited. (a) General. (b) Specific discriminatory actions prohibited. (i) Deny a person a service, financial aid, or other benefit provided under the program; (ii) Provide a service, financial aid, or other benefit to a person which is different, or is provided in a different manner, from that provided to others under the program; (iii) Subject a person to segregation or separate treatment in any matter related to his receipt of a service, financial aid, or other benefit under the program; (iv) Restrict a person in any way in the enjoyment of an advantage or privilege enjoyed by others receiving a service, financial aid, or other benefit under the program; (v) Treat a person differently from others in determining whether he satisfies an admission, enrollment, quota, eligibility, membership, or other requirement or condition which persons must meet in order to be provided a service, financial aid, or other benefit provided under the program; or (vi) Deny a person an opportunity to participate in the program through the provision of services or otherwise or afford him an opportunity to do so which is different from that afforded others under the program. (2) A recipient, in determining the types of services, financial aid, or other benefits, or facilities which will be provided under a program or the class of persons to whom, or the situations in which, the services, financial aid, other benefits, or facilities will be provided under a program, or the class of persons to be afforded an opportunity to participate in a program, may not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, utilize criteria or methods of administration which have the effect of subjecting persons to discrimination because of their race, color, or national origin, or have the effect of defeating or substantially impairing accomplishment of the objectives of the program with respect to individuals of a particular race, color, or national origin. (3) As used in this section, the services, financial aid, or other benefits provided under a program receiving Federal financial assistance include a service, financial aid, or other benefit provided in or through a facility provided with the aid of Federal financial assistance. (4) The enumeration of specific forms of prohibited discrimination in this paragraph does not limit the generality of the prohibition in paragraph (a) of this section. (5) Examples demonstrating the application of the provisions of this section to certain programs receiving Federal financial assistance from OPM are contained in appendix C of this subpart. (6) (i) In administering a program regarding which the recipient had previously discriminated against persons on the ground of race, color, or national origin, the recipient shall take affirmative action to overcome the effects of prior discrimination. (ii) Even in the absence of prior discrimination a recipient in administering a program shall take affirmative action as required by OPM to overcome the effect of conditions which resulted in limiting participation by persons of a particular race, color, or national origin. (iii) Any affirmative action under this paragraph shall be consistent with the principles stated in the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970, 84 Stat. 1909. (c) Employment practices. (2) Federal financial assistance to programs under laws funded or administered by OPM which have as a primary objective the providing of employment include those set forth in appendix B to this subpart. (3) In regard to Federal financial assistance which does not have providing employment as a primary objective, the provisions of paragraph (c)(1) of this section apply to the employment practices of the recipient if discrimination on the ground of race, color, or national origin in the employment practices tends, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, to exclude persons from participation in, to deny them the benefits of, or to subject them to discrimination under, the program receiving Federal financial assistance. The provisions of paragraph (c)(1) of this section apply to the extent necessary to assure equality of opportunity to and nondiscriminatory treatment of beneficiaries. (d) In determining the site or location of facilities, a recipient or applicant may not make selections with the purpose or effect of excluding individuals from, denying them the benefits of, or subjecting them to discrimination under, a program to which this subpart applies, on the ground of race, color, or national origin; or with the purpose or effect of defeating or substantially impairing the accomplishments of the objectives of title VI or this subpart. § 900.405 Assurances required. (a) General. (2) When Federal financial assistance is provided in the form of a transfer of real property, structures, or improvements thereon, or interest therein, from the Federal Government, the instrument effecting or recording the transfer shall contain a covenant running with the land assuring nondiscrimination for the period during which the real property is used for a purpose for which the Federal financial assistance is extended or for another purpose involving the provision of similar services or benefits. When no transfer of property or interest therein from the Federal Government is involved, but property is acquired or improved under a program of Federal financial assistance, the recipient shall agree to include a covenant in any subsequent transfer of the property. When the property is obtained from the Federal Government, the covenant may also include a condition coupled with a right to be reserved by OPM to revert title to the property in the event of a breach of the covenant where, in the discretion of OPM, such a condition and right of reverter is appropriate to the program under which the real property is obtained and to the nature of the grant and the grantee. In the event a transferee of real property proposes to mortgage or otherwise encumber the real property as security for financing construction of new, or improvement of existing, facilities on property for the purposes for which the property was transferred, OPM may agree, on request of the transferee and if necessary to accomplish the financing, and on conditions as he deems appropriate, to subordinate a right of reversion to the lien of a mortgage or other encumbrance. (b) Assurances from government agencies. (c) Assurance from academic and other institutions. (2) The assurance required by an academic institution, detention or correctional facility, or any other institution or facility, relating to the institution's practices with respect to admission or other treatment of individuals as students, patients, wards, inmates, persons subject to control, or clients of the institution or facility or to the opportunity to participate in the provision of services, disposition, treatment, or benefits to these individuals, is applicable to the entire institution or facility unless the applicant establishes, to the satisfaction of the responsible OPM official, that the practices in designated parts or programs of the institution or facility will in no way affect its practices in the program of the institution or facility for which Federal financial assistance is sought, or the beneficiaries of or participants in the program. If the assistance sought is for the construction of a facility or part of a facility, the assurance shall extend to the entire facility and to facilities operated in connection therewith. (d) Continuing State programs. § 900.406 Compliance information. (a) Cooperation and assistance. (b) Compliance reports. (c) Access to sources of information. (d) Information to beneficiaries and participants. § 900.407 Conduct of investigations. (a) Periodic compliance reviews. (b) Complaints. (c) Investigations. (d) Resolution of matters. (2) If an investigation does not warrant action pursuant to paragraph (d)(1) of this section, OPM will so inform, in writing, the recipient and the complainant, if any. (e) Intimidatory or retaliatory acts prohibited. § 900.408 Procedure for effecting compliance. (a) General. (2) Other means may include, but are not limited to, (i) a reference to the Department of Justice with a recommendation that appropriate proceedings be brought to enforce the rights of the United States under a law of the United States (including other titles of the Civil Rights Act of 1964), or an assurance or other contractual undertaking, and (ii) an applicable proceeding under State or local law. (b) Noncompliance with § 900.405. (c) Termination of or refusal to grant or to continue Federal financial assistance. (1) OPM has advised the applicant or recipient of his failure to comply and has determined that compliance cannot be secured by informal voluntary means; (2) There has been an express finding on the record, after opportunity for hearing, of a failure by the applicant or recipient to comply with a requirement imposed by or pursuant to this subpart; (3) The action has been approved by the Office of Personnel Management pursuant to § 900.410(e); and (4) The expiration of 30 days after the Director, Office of Personnel Management has filed with the committee of the House and the committee of the Senate having legislative jurisdiction over the program involved, a full written report of the circumstances and the grounds for the action. An action to suspend or terminate or refuse to grant or to continue Federal financial assistance shall be limited to the particular political entity, or part thereof, or other applicant or recipient as to whom a finding has been made and shall be limited in its effect to the particular program, or part thereof, in which the noncompliance has been so found. (d) Other means authorized by law. (1) OPM has determined that compliance cannot be secured by voluntary means; (2) The recipient or other person has been notified of its failure to comply and of the action to be taken to effect compliance; and (3) The expiration of at least 10 days from the mailing of a notice to the recipient or person. During this period of at least 10 days, additional efforts shall be made to persuade the recipient or other person to comply with the regulation and to take corrective action as may be appropriate. § 900.409 Hearings. (a) Opportunity for hearing. (b) Time and place of hearing. (c) Right to counsel. (d) Procedures, evidence, and record. (2) Technical rules of evidence do not apply to hearings conducted pursuant to this subpart, but rules or principles designed to assure production of the most credible evidence available and to subject testimony to test by cross-examination shall be applied where determined reasonably necessary by the officer conducting the hearing. The hearing officer may exclude irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious evidence. Documents and other evidence offered or taken for the record shall be open to examination by the parties and opportunity shall be given to refute facts and arguments advanced on either side of the issues. A transcript shall be made of the oral evidence except to the extent the substance thereof is stipulated for the record. Decisions shall be based on the hearing record and written findings shall be made. (e) Consolidated or joint hearings. § 900.410 Decisions and notices. (a) Procedure on decisions by hearing examiner. (b) Decisions on record or review by the Office of Personnel Management. (c) Decisions on record where a hearing is waived. (d) Rulings required. (e) Approval by OPM. (f) Content of orders. (g) Post termination proceedings. (2) An applicant or recipient adversely affected by an order entered pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section may at any time request the Director, Office of Personnel Management to restore fully its eligibility to receive Federal financial assistance. A request shall be supported by information showing that the applicant or recipient has met the requirements of paragraph (g)(1) of this section. If the Director, Office of Personnel Management determines that those requirements have been satisfied, he/she shall restore the eligibility. (3) If OPM denies a request, the applicant or recipient may submit a request for hearing in writing, specifying why it believes OPM is in error. The applicant or recipient shall be given an expeditious hearing, with a decision on the record in accordance with the rules or procedures issued by OPM. The applicant or recipient shall be restored to eligibility if it proves at the hearing that it satisfied the requirements of paragraph (g)(1) of this section. While proceedings under this paragraph are pending, the sanctions imposed by the order issued under paragraph (f) of this section remain in effect. § 900.411 Judicial review. Action taken pursuant to section 602 of title VI is subject to judicial review as provided in section 603 of title VI. § 900.412 Effect on other regulations, forms, and instructions. (a) Effect on other regulations. (b) Forms and instructions. (c) Supervision and coordination. Appendix A to Subpart D of Part 900—Activities to Which This Subpart Applies 1. Personnel mobility assignments of OPM personnel pursuant to title 5, U.S.C. chapter 33 and 5 CFR part 334 (36 FR 6488). [38 FR 17920, July 5, 1973, as amended at 48 FR 6311, Feb. 11, 1983] Appendix B to Subpart D of Part 900—Activities to Which This Subpart Applies When a Primary Objective of the Federal Assistance Is To Provide Employment 1. None at this time. Appendix C to Subpart D of Part 900—Application of Subpart D, Part 900, to Programs Receiving Federal Financial Assistance of the Office of Personnel Management Nondiscrimination in Federally assisted programs or projects: Examples. (1) Recipients of IPA financial assistance for training programs or fellowships may not differentiate between employees who are eligible for training or fellowships on the ground of race, color, or national origin. (2) Recipients of IPA financial assistance for training programs may not provide facilities for training with the purpose or effect of separating employees on the ground of race, color, or national origin. Subpart E [Reserved] Subpart F—Standards for a Merit System of Personnel Administration Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4728, 4763; E.O. 11589, 3 CFR part 557 (1971-75 Compilation); 5 U.S.C. 2301, 2302, E.O. 11478, 3 CFR 1966-1970 Comp., page 803, unless otherwise noted, E.O. 13087; and E.O. 13152. Source: 48 FR 9210, Mar. 4, 1983, unless otherwise noted. § 900.601 Purpose. (a) The purpose of these regulations is to implement provisions of title II of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970, as amended, relating to Federally required merit personnel systems in State and local agencies, in a manner that recognizes fully the rights, powers, and responsibilities of State and local governments and encourages innovation and allows for diversity among State and local governments in the design, execution, and management of their systems of personnel administration, as provided by that Act. (b) Certain Federal grant programs require, as a condition of eligibility, that State and local agencies that receive grants establish merit personnel systems for their personnel engaged in administration of the grant-aided program. These merit personnel systems are in some cases required by specific Federal grant statutes and in other cases are required by regulations of the Federal grantor agencies. Title II of the Act gives the U.S. Office of Personnel Management authority to prescribe standards for these Federally required merit personnel systems. § 900.602 Applicability. (a) Sections 900.603-604 apply to those State and local governments that are required to operate merit personnel systems as a condition of eligibility for Federal assistance or participation in an intergovernmental program. Merit personnel systems are required for State and local personnel engaged in the administration of assistance and other intergovernmental programs, irrespective of the source of funds for their salaries, where Federal laws or regulations require the establishment and maintenance of such systems. A reasonable number of positions, however, may be exempted from merit personnel system coverage. (b) Section 900.605 applies to Federal agencies that operate Federal assistance or intergovernmental programs. § 900.603 Standards for a merit system of personnel administration. The quality of public service can be improved by the development of systems of personnel administration consistent with such merit principles as— (a) Recruiting, selecting, and advancing employees on the basis of their relative ability, knowledge, and skills, including open consideration of qualified applicants for initial appointment. (b) Providing equitable and adequate compensation. (c) Training employees, as needed, to assure high quality performance. (d) Retaining employees on the basis of the adequacy of their performance, correcting inadequate performance, and separating employees whose inadequate performance cannot be corrected. (e) Assuring fair treatment of applicants and employees in all aspects of personnel administration without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, age (as defined by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended), disability, genetic information (including family medical history), marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, status as parent, labor organization affiliation or nonaffiliation in accordance with chapter 71 of title V, or any other non-merit-based factor, or retaliation for exercising rights with respect to the categories enumerated above, where retaliation rights are available, and with proper regard for their privacy and constitutional rights as citizens. This “fair treatment” principle includes compliance with the Federal equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination laws. (f) Assuring that employees are protected against coercion for partisan political purposes and are prohibited from using their official authority for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election or a nomination for office. [48 FR 9210, Mar. 4, 1983, as amended at 79 FR 43923, July 29, 2014] § 900.604 Compliance. (a) Certification by Chief Executives. (2) Chief executives will maintain these certifications and make them available to the Office of Personnel Management. (3) In the absence of certification by the chief executive, compliance with the Standards may be certified by the heads of those State and local agencies that are required to have merit personnel systems as a condition of Federal assistance or other intergovernmental programs. (b) Resolution of Compliance Issues. (2) The merit principles apply to systems of personnel administration. The Intergovernmental Personnel Act does not authorize OPM to exercise any authority, direction or control over the selection, assignment, advancement, retention, compensation, or other personnel action with respect to any individual State or local employee. (3) When a chief executive requests the assistance of the Office of Personnel Management, the Office will provide consultation and technical advice to aid the State or local government in complying with the Standards. (4) The Office of Personnel Management will advise Federal agencies on application of the Standards in resolving compliance issues and will recommend actions to carry out the purposes of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act. Questions regarding interpretation of the Standards will be referred to the Office of Personnel Management. [48 FR 9210, Mar. 4, 1983; 48 FR 10801, Mar. 15, 1983, as amended at 62 FR 33971, June 24, 1997; 62 FR 53223, Oct. 14, 1997] § 900.605 Establishing a merit requirement. Federal agencies may adopt regulations that require the establishment of a merit personnel system as a condition for receiving Federal assistance or otherwise participating in an intergovernmental program only with the prior approval of the Office of Personnel Management. All existing regulations will be submitted to the Office of Personnel Management for review. Appendix A to Subpart F of Part 900—Standards for a Merit System of Personnel Administration Part I: The following programs have a statutory requirement for the establishment and maintenance of personnel standards on a merit basis. Program, Legislation, and Statutory Reference Food Stamp, Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 2020(e)(6)(B). Employment Security (Unemployment Insurance and Employment Services), Social Security Act (Title III), as amended by the Social Security Act Amendments of 1939, Section 301, on August 10, 1939, and the Wagner-Peyser Act, as amended by Pub. L. 81-775, section 2, on September 8, 1950; 42 U.S.C. 503(a)(1) and 29 U.S.C. 49d(b). Grants to States for Old-Age Assistance for the Aged (Title I of the Social Security Act); 42 U.S.C. 302(a)(5)(A). 1 1 Aid to Families with Dependent Children, (Title IV-A of the Social Security Act); 42 U.S.C. 602(a)(5). 2 2 Grants to States for Aid to the Blind, (Title X of the Social Security Act); 42 U.S.C. 1202(a)(5)(A). 1 Grants to States for Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled, (Title XIV of the Social Security Act); 42 U.S.C. 1352(a)(5)(A). 1 Grants to States for Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled. (Title XVI of the Social Security Act); 42 U.S.C. 1382(a)(5)(A). 1 Medical Assistance (Medicaid), Social Security Act (Title XIX), as amended, section 1902 (a)(4)(A); 42 U.S.C. 1396(a)(4)(A). State and Community Programs on Aging (Older Americans), Older Americans Act of 1965 (Title III), as amended by the Comprehensive Older Americans Act Amendments of 1976, section 307 on October 18, 1978; 42 U.S.C. 3027(a)(4). Federal Payments for Foster Care and Adoption Assistance, (Title IV-E of the Social Security Act); 42 U.S.C. 671(a)(5). Part II: The following programs have a regulatory requirement for the establishment and maintenance of personnel standards on a merit basis. Program, Legislation, and Regulatory Reference Occupational Safety and Health Standards, Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970; Occupational Safety and Health State Plans for the Development and Enforcement of State Standards; Department of Labor, 29 CFR 1902.3(h). Occupational Safety and Health Statistics, Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970; BLS Grant Application Kit, May 1, 1973, Supplemental Assurance No. 15A. Robert T. Stafford Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief Act (42 U.S.C. 5196b), as amended; 44 CFR 302.4. [62 FR 33971, June 24, 1997] Subpart G—Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Federally Assisted Programs of the Office of Personnel Management Authority: 29 U.S.C. 794. Source: 45 FR 75569, Nov. 14, 1980, unless otherwise noted. § 900.701 Purpose. The purpose of this part is to effectuate section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to eliminate discrimination on the basis of handicap in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). § 900.702 Applicability. This subpart applies to each activity, program or project receiving Federal financial assistance from the Office of Personnel Management from the date this subpart is approved. The duration of the applicability is the period of time for which the assistance is authorized. § 900.703 Definitions. Unless the content requires otherwise, in this subpart: (a) Recipient (b) Federal financial assistance (1) Funds; (2) Services of Federal personnel; or (3) Real and personal property or any interest in or use of such property, including: (i) Transfers or leases of such property for less than fair market value or for reduced consideration; and (ii) Proceeds from a subsequent transfer or lease of such property if the Federal share of its fair market value is not returned to the Federal Government. (c) Facility (d) Handicapped person (1) As used in paragraph (d) of this section, the phrase: physical or mental impairment (i) Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: Neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genitourinary; hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine; or (ii) Any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities. The term physical or mental impairment (2) Major life activities (3) Has a record of such impairment (4) Is regarded as having an impairment (i) Has a physical or mental impairment that does not substantially limit major life activities but is treated by a recipient as constituting such a limitation; (ii) Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits major life activities only as a result of the attitudes of others toward such impairment; or (iii) Has none of the impairments defined in paragraph (d) of this section but is treated by a recipient as having such an impairment. (e) Qualified handicapped person means: (1) With respect to employment, a handicapped person who with reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the job in question. (2) With respect to other services, a handicapped person who meets the essential eligibility requirements for the receipt of such services. (f) Ultimate beneficiary means one among a class of persons who are entitled to benefit from or otherwise participate in, programs receiving Federal financial assistance and to whom the protections of this subpart apply. § 900.704 Discrimination prohibited. (a) No qualified handicapped person shall, on the basis of handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity which receives or benefits from Federal financial assistance from the Office of Personnel Management. (b) (1) A recipient, in providing any aid, benefit, or service, may not, directly or through contractual, licensing, or other arrangements, on the basis of handicap: (i) Deny a qualified handicapped person the opportunity to participate in or benefit from the aid, benefit, or service; (ii) Afford a qualified handicapped person an opportunity to participate in or benefit from the aid, benefit, or service that is not equal to that afforded others; (iii) Provide a qualified handicapped person with an aid, benefit, or service that is not as effective in affording equal opportunity to obtain the same result, to gain the same benefit or to reach the same level of achievement as that provided to others; (iv) Provide different or separate aid, benefits, or services to handicapped persons or to any class of handicapped persons than is provided to others unless such action is necessary to provide qualified handicapped persons with aid, benefits, or services that are as effective as those provided to others; (v) Aid or perpetuate discrimination against a qualified handicapped person by providing significant assistance to an agency, organization or person that discriminates on the basis of handicap in providing any aid, benefit, or service to beneficiaries of the recipient's program; (vi) Deny a qualified person the opportunity to participate as a member of planning or advisory boards; or (vii) Otherwise limit a qualified handicapped person in the enjoyment of any right, privilege, advantage, or opportunity enjoyed by others receiving aid, benefit, or service. (2) A recipient may not deny a qualified handicapped person the opportunity to participate in programs or activities that are not separate or different, despite the existence of permissibly separate or different programs or activities. (3) A recipient may not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, utilize criteria or methods of administration: (i) That have the effect of subjecting qualified handicapped persons to discrimination on the basis of handicap, (ii) That have the purpose or effect of defeating or substantially impairing accomplishment of the objectives of the recipient's program with respect to handicapped persons, or (iii) That perpetuate the discrimination of another recipient if both recipients are subject to common administrative control or are agencies of the same State. (4) A recipient may not, in determining the site or location of a facility, make selections: (i) That have the effect of excluding handicapped persons from, denying them the benefits of, or otherwise subjecting them to discrimination under any program or activity that receives or benefits from Federal financial assistance, or (ii) That have the purpose or effect of defeating or substantially impairing the accomplishment of the objectives of the program or activity with respect to handicapped persons. (c) The exclusion of nonhandicapped persons from the benefits of a program limited by Federal statute or Executive order to handicapped persons or the exclusion of a specific class of handicapped persons from a program limited by Federal statute or Executive order to a different class of handicapped persons is not prohibited by this part. (d) Recipients shall administer programs and activities in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of qualified handicapped persons. (e) Recipients shall take appropriate steps to ensure that communications with their applicants, employees and beneficiaries are available to persons with impaired vision and hearing. § 900.705 Program accessibility. (a) No qualified handicapped person shall, because a recipient's facilities are inaccessible to or unusable by handicapped persons, be denied the benefits of, be excluded from participation in or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity to which this subpart applies. (b) A recipient shall operate each program or activity so that the program or activity, when viewed in its entirety, is readily accessible to and usable by handicapped persons. This paragraph does not necessarily require a recipient to make each of its existing facilities or every part of an existing facility accessible to and usable by handicapped persons. Where structural changes are necessary to make programs or activities in existing facilities accessible, such changes shall be made as soon as practicable, but in no event later than three years after the effective date of the regulation. (c) A recipient may comply with the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section through such means as redesign of equipment, reassignment of services to accessible buildings, assignment of aides to beneficiaries, home visits, alteration of facilities or any other methods that result in making its program or activity accessible to handicapped persons. A recipient is not required to make structural changes in existing facilities where other methods are effective in achieving compliance with this section. (d) New facilities shall be designed and constructed to be readily accessible to and usable by handicapped persons. Alterations to existing facilities shall, to the maximum extent feasible, be designed and constructed to be readily accessible to and usable by handicapped persons. (e) In the event that structural changes to facilities are necessary to meet the requirements of this section, a recipient shall develop within 12 months of the effective date of this subpart a transition plan setting forth the steps necessary to complete such changes. The plan shall be developed with the assistance of interested persons, including handicapped persons or organizations representing handicapped persons. (f)(1) Effective as of August 23, 1990. Design, construction, or alteration of buildings in conformance with sections 3-8 of the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) (appendix A to 41 CFR subpart 101-19.6) shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of this section with respect to those buildings. Departures from particular technical and scoping requirements of UFAS by the use of other methods are permitted where substantially equivalent or greater access to and usability of the building is provided. (2) For purposes of this section, section 4.1.6(1)(g) of UFAS shall be interpreted to exempt from the requirements of UFAS only mechanical rooms and other spaces that, because of their intended use, will not require accessibility to the public or beneficiaries or result in the employment or residence therein of persons with physical handicaps. (3) This section does not require recipients to make building alterations that have little likelihood of being accomplished without removing or altering a load-bearing structural member. [45 FR 75569, Nov. 14, 1980, as amended at 55 FR 29999, July 28, 1990] § 900.706 Employment practices. (a) General. (2) A recipient shall make all decisions concerning employment under any program or activity to which this subpart applies in a manner which ensures that discrimination on the basis of handicap does not occur and may not limit, segregate, or classify applicants or employees in any way that adversely affects their opportunities or status because of handicap. (3) The prohibition against discrimination in employment applies to the following activities: (i) Recruitment, advertising, and the processing of applications for employment; (ii) Hiring, upgrading, promotion, award of tenure, demotion, transfer, layoff, termination, right of return from layoff, and rehiring; (iii) Rates of pay or any other form of compensation and changes in compensation; (iv) Job assignments, job classifications, organizational structures, position descriptions, lines of progression, and seniority lists; (v) Leaves of absence, sick leave, or any other leave; (vi) Fringe benefits available by virtue of employment, whether or not administered by the recipient; (vii) Selection and financial support for training, including apprenticeship, professional meetings, conferences, and other related activities, and selection for leaves of absence to pursue training; (viii) Employer sponsored activities, including social or recreational programs; and (ix) Any other term, condition, or privilege of employment. (4) A recipient may not participate in a contractual or other relationship that has the effect of subjecting qualified handicapped applicants or employees to discrimination prohibited by this subpart. The relationships referred to in this paragraph include relationships with employment and referral agencies, with labor unions, with organizations providing or administering fringe benefits to employees of the recipient, and with organizations providing training and apprenticeship programs. (b) Reasonable accommodation. (2) Reasonable accommodation may include, but shall not be limited to, making facilities readily accessible to and usable by handicapped persons, acquisition or modification of equipment or devices, appropriate adjustment or modification of examinations, the provision of readers and interpreters, job restructuring and providing part-time or modified work schedules and other similar actions. (3) In determining pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) of this section whether an accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the recipient in question, factors to be considered by OPM include: (i) The overall size of the recipient's program with respect to the number of employees, number and type of facilities and size of budget; (ii) The type of operation, including the composition and structure of the work force; and (iii) The nature and the cost of the accommodation. (c) Employment criteria. (2) A recipient shall select and administer tests concerning employment so as to ensure that, when administered under any program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance from OPM, to an applicant or employee who has a handicap that impairs sensory, manual, or speaking skills, the test results accurately reflect the applicant's or employee's ability to perform the duties of the type of position in question rather than reflecting the applicant's or employee's impaired sensory, manual, or speaking skills (except where those skills are the factors that the test purports to measure). (d) Preemployment inquiries. (2) Nothing in this section shall prohibit an organization from conditioning an offer of employment under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance from OPM on the results of a medical examination conducted prior to the employee's entrance on duty: Provided, (ii) The results of such an examination are used in accordance with the requirements of this subpart. § 900.707 Certification required. (a) General. (b) Certification from subgrantees. § 900.708 Self-evaluation. (a) Each recipient shall, within one year of the receipt of financial assistance, conduct or have conducted an evaluation of its compliance with this subpart with the assistance of interested persons, including handicapped persons or organizations representing handicapped persons. Each such recipient shall evaluate its current policies and practices and their effects, and modify any that do not meet the requirements of this part. Each such recipient shall permit the Office of Personnel Management, during normal business hours, to examine its self-evaluation along with its books, records, accounts, facilities and other sources of information as may be useful to determine whether there has been compliance with this subpart. Self-evaluation required under other Federal programs may be accepted by OPM if the information pertaining to activities receiving financial assistance from OPM is included and the records are available to OPM representatives. (b) Each recipient shall modify, after consultation with interested persons and organizations, including handicapped persons, any policies and practices that do not meet the requirements of this subpart; and (c) Each recipient shall take, after consultation with interested persons, including handicapped persons or organizations representing handicapped persons, appropriate remedial steps to eliminate the effects of any discrimination that resulted from adherence to these policies and practices. § 900.709 Notice and consultation. (a) Programs and activities receiving OPM financial support shall take appropriate initial and continuing steps to notify participants, beneficiaries, applicants, and employees, including those with impaired vision or hearing, that it does not discriminate on the basis of handicap in violation of Section 504 and this subpart. (b) As appropriate, a recipient shall consult with interested persons, including handicapped persons or organizations representing handicapped persons, in achieving compliance with this subpart. § 900.710 Procedure for effecting compliance. When the Office of Personnel Management determines that a recipient has failed or threatens to fail to comply with this subpart and the noncompliance or threatened noncompliance cannot be corrected by informal means, OPM may suspend or terminate or refuse to grant or continue financial assistance as provided in § 900.408 of title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations.