DEI and Nondiscrimination Laws: Navigating a Shifting Legal Landscape

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.

*DISCLAIMER: Content will be updated prior to the webinar to reflect the latest legal and policy changes.

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.