Title VI

What is Title VI?

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a federal law that states that “No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” 42 U.S.C. § 2000d

The Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) is the owner and operator of BWI Marshall Airport (BWI) and Martin State Airport (MTN). The MAA is dedicated to promoting nondiscrimination in all of its facilities, programs, and services.

History of Title VI

In calling for its enactment, President John F. Kennedy identified “simple justice” as the justification for Title VI:

“Simple justice requires that public funds, to which all taxpayers of all races contribute, not be spent in any fashion which encourages, entrenches, subsidizes, or results in racial discrimination. Direct discrimination by Federal, State, or local governments is prohibited by the Constitution. But indirect discrimination, through the use of Federal funds, is just as invidious; and it should not be necessary to resort to the Courts to prevent each individual violation.”

President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law on July 2, 1964.

Discrimination Prohibited by Title VI

• Prohibits entities from discriminatorily denying a protected individual any service, financial aid, or other benefit under the covered programs and activities.
• Prohibits entities from providing services or benefits to some individuals that are different from or inferior (in either quantity or quality) to those provided to others.
• Prohibits segregation or separate treatment in any manner related to the receiving program services or benefits.
• Prohibits entities from imposing different standards or conditions as prerequisites for serving individuals.

Title VI Applies To:

• Advertisements
• AIP contracting program
• Announcements
• Bid proposals, requests, and evaluations
• Contracts/subcontracts provisions and other legal documents
• External Discrimination Complaints
• Grants
• Local/MBE contracting program
• PFC contracting program
• Public meetings
• Services to passengers (e.g. concessions, parking)
• Signage

Language Assistance

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and Martin State Airport offer free interpretation and translation services upon request.

Contact Information

Tisha “Tee” Leonardo-Santiago is available at 410-859-7009 and [email protected], and is responsible for overseeing the BWI Marshall and Martin State Airports’ compliance with Title VI and the point of contact for all airport Title VI matters and related responsibilities, including those required by 49 CFR Part 21.

Any person who believes that he or she has been subjected to discrimination or retaliation based on their race, color, or national origin, or other applicable laws, by the MAA may file a Title VI complaint by completing and submitting the MAA’s Title VI Complaint of Discrimination Form within 180 days of the date of the alleged discrimination. Below is the Title VI Complaint form and procedure:

Title VI Complaint Form

MDOT & MAA Resources

MAA Title VI Program Plan
MDOT’s Title VI Program Plan
MDOT’s Title VI Policy and Assurances
Title VI Notice to the Public

Federal Resources

U.S. DOJ – Title VI Legal Manual
U.S. DOT – Civil Rights Act of 1964
28 CFR PART 42, SUBPART C
– DOJ’s regulation implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
– Implementation of Section 815 (c) (1) of the Justice System Improvement Act of 1979
– Also implements Executive Order 12138
28 CFR PART 50.3
DOJ’s Guidelines for the enforcement of Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964
49 CFR PART 21
DOT’s Implementing Regulations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
o DOT Guidance Portal | US Department of Transportation
o EPA – Title VI Portal Environmental Justice
o Federal Interagency Website – Limited English Proficiency
o DOT POLICY GUIDANCE DOCUMENT DATED DECEMBER 14, 2005
Policy Guidance Concerning Recipients’ Responsibilities to Limited English Proficient (LEP) persons,
Federal Register Vol. 70 No. 239 (DOT’s initial LEP guidance regarding recipients’ obligation was released on January 22, 2001)
o FAA Order 1400.11A (discusses use of Standard DOT Title VI/Nondiscrimination Assurances, per DOT Order No. 1050.2a)