WEBINAR | ON-DEMAND

DEI and Nondiscrimination Laws: Navigating a Shifting Legal Landscape

On-demand
Originally aired on July 16, 2026
January 21, 2026 at 1:00 pm (EDT)

Webinar Information

This webinar is included in the 2026 Annual Compliance Training Subscription.
Overview
Learning Objectives
Audience
Instructors
Format
DEI and Nondiscrimination Laws: Navigating a Shifting Legal Landscape

Recent developments in case law and federal policy are reshaping how key nondiscrimination laws applicable to health centers are being interpreted, applied, and enforced by agencies, funders, and regulatory authorities. These shifts have raised questions about the legality of long-standing diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) policies and practices and may create tension with other programmatic, contractual, or state-level legal commitments.

This webinar will provide health centers with an overview of applicable nondiscrimination laws—including Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act —and explore how the legal environment is evolving. Because the legal and policy context is rapidly changing, the program will incorporate the most up-to-date developments available at the time of the session, giving participants practical guidance on how to approach DEI-related activities (such as targeted programs, data collection, and employment practices) in light of legal uncertainty and shifting norms.
  • Compliance Officers
  • Risk Managers
  • HR Professionals
  • CEOs
  • CFOs
  • COOs
  • CMOs
  • Workforce Development Leaders
  • Executive Leadership
  • Legal Counsel
  • Policy Staff
  • Program and operations leaders involved in planning or implementing DEI-related initiatives
  1. Identify the core nondiscrimination laws applicable to health centers and their scope of enforcement.
  2. Understand recent and emerging case law and federal policy developments that affect DEI-related policies and practices.
  3. Evaluate how DEI initiatives may create compliance risks or conflicts with other legal requirements.
  4. Apply a risk-informed approach to deciding whether and how to continue DEI-related activities in a changing environment.
Molly Evans
Dianne Pledgie

Principal

Molly provides strategic counsel to community health centers, healthcare organizations, and state and national associations on a full spectrum of legal, compliance, transactional, and governance matters. Her counsel helps organizations design effective legal structures, policies, and agreements that mitigate risk, ensure compliance with federal and state requirements, and support long-term sustainability and mission alignment.

Principal

Dianne advises health care and non-profit organizations on the development and implementation of robust compliance programs. Dianne also provides legal guidance on privacy, security and confidentiality matters, with particular focus on Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), 42 C.F.R. Part 2 and the Information Blocking Rule, including:
  • Advising clients on their obligations to protect patient records, respond to patient requests, and develop policies and procedures;
  • Reviewing business associate agreements, data use agreements, and patient consents related to the use and disclosure of protected health information and sensitive information; and
  • Supporting clients experiencing security incidents.