[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 45, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 45CFR91.44]

[Page 408]
 
                        TITLE 45--PUBLIC WELFARE
 
                           AND HUMAN SERVICES
 
PART 91--NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF AGE IN HHS PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE--Table of Contents
 
   Subpart D--Investigation, Conciliation, and Enforcement Procedures
 
Sec. 91.44  Investigation.

    (a) Informal investigation. (1) HHS will investigate complaints that 
are unresolved after mediation or are reopened because of a violation of 
a mediation agreement.
    (2) As part of the initial investigation HHS will use informal fact 
finding methods, including joint or separate discussions with the 
complainant and recipient, to establish the fact and, if possible, 
settle the complaint on terms that are mutually agreeable to the 
parties. HHS may seek the assistance of any involved State program 
agency.
    (3) HHS will put any agreement in writing and have it signed by the 
parties and an authorized official at HHS.
    (4) The settlement shall not affect the operation of any other 
enforcement effort of HHS, including compliance reviews and 
investigation of other complaints which may involve the recipient.
    (5) The settlement is not a finding of discrimination against a 
recipient.
    (b) Formal investigation. If HHS cannot resolve the complaint 
through informal investigation, it will begin to develop formal findings 
through further investigation of the complaint. If the investigation 
indicates a violation of these regulations HHS will attempt to obtain 
voluntary compliance. If HHS cannot obtain voluntary compliance it will 
begin enforcement as described in Sec. 91.46.