Office of the Secretary July 6, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the Department of Homeland Security proposes to update and reissue a Department of Homeland Security system of records titled, ``Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties001 Matters System of Records,'' January 6, 2004. The system name is being changed to, ``Department of Homeland Security/ALL029 Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Records System of Records.'' This name change, along with other changes to the system, are made to capture the expansion of the overall system of records to include both the Department Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, as well as all component offices that perform civil rights and civil liberties functions, and staff of components who do not have a designated civil rights and civil liberties office but who do perform related civil rights and civil liberties functions (collectively referred to as ``civil rights and civil liberties staff''). The Department's civil rights and civil liberties staff advise Departmental and/or component leadership, personnel, and partners about civil rights and civil liberties issues, ensuring respect for civil rights and civil liberties in policy decisions and implementation of those decisions. Civil rights and civil liberties staff also review and assess information concerning abuses of civil rights, civil liberties, such as profiling on the basis of race, ethnicity, or religion, by employees and officials of the Department of Homeland Security. The Department's civil rights and civil liberties staff also ensure that all federally-assisted and federally-conducted programs or activities of the Department comply with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Department's civil rights and civil liberties staff investigate complaints, including: allegations that individuals acted under color of law or otherwise abused their authority; discrimination; profiling; violations of the confidentiality provisions of the Violence Against Women Act; conditions of detention; treatment; due process; and watch list issues.

The Department is issuing a new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) rule to ensure nondiscrimination on the basis of disability by passenger vessel operators (PVOs). This rulemaking concerns service and policy issues. Issues concerning physical accessibility standards