Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) touches the lives of nearly all Maryland residents and individuals who travel on our network of roadways, bridges, tunnels and utilize our facilities. In this effort, the MDTA's vision is to "Create EZ Passage Throughout Maryland" for ALL of our customers in a safe, efficient, and non-discriminatory manner.

MDTA assures that no person, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any MDTA programs, services or activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and applicable non­ discrimination statutes, regulations and directives.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states:

"No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of its programs and services on the basis of race, color or national origin, as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

History of Title VI

The landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a product of the growing demand during the early 1960s for the Federal Government to ensure uniformity and permanence of nondiscrimination policy against racial discrimination.

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

There are many forms of illegal discrimination based on race, color, or national origin that limit the opportunity of minorities to gain equal access to services and programs.

Among other things, in operating a federally-assisted program, the MDTA and its sub-recipients cannot on the basis of race, color, or national origin, either directly or indirectly:

Deny program services, aids, or benefits

Provide a different service, aid, or benefit, or provide them in a manner differently than they are provided to others

Segregate or separately treat individuals in any matter related to the receipt of any services, aid, or benefit.

How To File a Complaint

Any person who believes that he or she has, individually, or as a member of any specific class of persons, has been excluded from participation in, been denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any MDOT MDTA service, program or activity, and believes the discrimination is based upon race, color, or national origin has the right to file a formal complaint in accordance with the following procedures. Individuals may file a Title VI complaint up to 180 days from the date of the alleged discrimination, by completing and submitting the agency's Title VI Complaint Form to MDTA’s Office of Equal Opportunity. For more information or assistance on filing a Title VI complaint, please call the MDTA Office of Equal Opportunity at 410-537-5660; or MD Relay: 7-1-1 or via email at MDTAeeo@MDTA.state.md.us.

The complaint should include the following information:

Your name, address, and how to contact you (i.e., telephone number, email address, etc.)

How, when, where, and why you believe you were discriminated against. Include the location, names and contact information of any witnesses.

The Title VI Complaint Form may be mailed to:

Title VI Program Manager
Division of Civil Rights & Fair Practices
Office of Equal Opportunity
Maryland Transportation Authority
2310 Broening Highway
Baltimore, MD 21224

Title VI Complaint Form may also be emailed to MDTAeeo@MDTA.state.md.us or faxed to MDTA's Office of Equal Opportunity at: 410-537-1044.

A person may also file a Title VI complaint directly with the following agencies:

Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT)
Office of Diversity and Equity
Title VI /ADA Program Manager
7201 Corporate Center Drive Hanover, MD 21076

U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division Federal Coordination and Compliance Section,
NWB 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
FHWA Office of Civil Rights
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Suite E-81
Washington, DC 20590

MDTA Resources

• Title VI Policy Statement
• MDTA Title VI Implementation Plan 2022 - 2023
• MDTA LEP Policy Statement 

For more information, or to request this information in an alternate format or translated into another language, please contact the department listed below.

MDTA Office of Equal Opportunity
Office: 410-537-5660
Fax: 410-537-1044
Maryland Relay Users Dial 7-1-1
Email: MDTAeeo@MDTA.state.md.us
https://mdta.maryland.gov/