Civil Rights Laws

What are Civil Rights?
Civil rights are personal rights guaranteed and protected by the U.S. Constitution, federal laws enacted by the U.S. Congress and state laws enacted by our state legislature.

What is Discrimination?
Discrimination is the unfair or unequal treatment of a person or a group because they are part of a defined group, known as a protected class.

What is a Protected Class?
A protected class is a group of people who share common characteristics and are protected from discrimination and harassment under federal and state laws. Protected classes defined by Washington State Law include:

• Sex
• Race/Color
• Creed/Religion
• National origin
• Sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity
• Disability and the use of a trained dog guide or service animal
• Honorably discharged veteran or military status

The following state and federal civil rights laws prohibit discrimination in public schools.

PROTECTED CLASS (Discrimination prohibited)	FEDERAL LAW	WASHINGTON STATE LAW
Age	Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (34 C.F.R. Part 110)	Chapter 49.60 RCW Washington Law Against Discrimination*
Disability	SECTION 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act (34 C.F.R. Part 104) Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (28 C.F.R. Part 35) Applies to public entities with 50 or more employees.	Chapter 28A.642 RCW - Common school provisions – Discrimination prohibition Chapter 392-190 WAC – Equal educational opportunity – Unlawful discrimination prohibited Chapter 49.60 RCW - Washington Law Against Discrimination*
National Origin National origin also refers to students who have a limited proficiency in English.	TITLE VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (34 C.F.R. Part 100) Executive Order 13166 Federally operated and federally funded programs and activities must be made meaningfully accessible to limited English proficient (LEP) persons. Employment Discrimination: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (34 C.F.R. Part 106)	Chapter 28A.642 RCW - Common school provisions – Discrimination prohibition Chapter 392-190 WAC – Equal educational opportunity – Unlawful discrimination prohibited Chapter 49.60 RCW Washington Law Against Discrimination*
Race	TITLE VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (34 C.F.R. Par t 100) Employment Discrimination: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (34 C.F.R. Part 106)	Chapter 28A.642 RCW - Common school provisions – Discrimination prohibition Chapter 392-190 WAC – Equal educational opportunity – Unlawful discrimination prohibited Chapter 49.60 RCW Washington Law Against Discrimination*
Religion/Creed Creed refers to a shared belief system or faith.	U.S. Constitution First Amendment Employment Discrimination: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (34 C.F.R. Part 106)	Washington State Constitution, Article I, sections 5 and 11 Chapter 28A.600.025 RCW - Students' rights of religious expression — Duty of superintendent of public instruction to inform school districts. Chapter 28A.642 RCW - Common school provisions – Discrimination prohibition Chapter 392-190 WAC – Equal educational opportunity – Unlawful discrimination prohibited Chapter 49.60 RCW Washington Law Against Discrimination*
Sex	TITLE IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments (34 C.F.R. Part 106) Employment Discrimination: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (34 C.F.R. Part 106)	Chapter 28A.640 RCW - Sexual equality Chapter 28A.642 RCW - Common school provisions – Discrimination prohibition Chapter 392-190 WAC – Equal educational opportunity – Unlawful discrimination prohibited Chapter 49.60 RCW Washington Law Against Discrimination*
Sexual Orientation (includes gender identity)		Chapter 28A.642 RCW - Common school provisions – Discrimination prohibition Chapter 392-190 WAC – Equal educational opportunity – Unlawful discrimination prohibited Chapter 49.60 RCW Washington Law Against Discrimination*
Veteran/Military Status		Chapter 28A.642 RCW - Common school provisions – Discrimination prohibition Chapter 392-190 WAC – Equal educational opportunity – Unlawful discrimination prohibited Chapter 49.60 RCW Washington Law Against Discrimination*

*Schools must comply with Chapter 49.60 RCW as places of public accommodation.