[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 38, Volume 2]
[Revised as of July 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 38CFR18.7]

[Page 10]
 
            TITLE 38--PENSIONS, BONUSES, AND VETERANS' RELIEF
 
          CHAPTER I--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (CONTINUED)
 
PART 18--NONDISCRIMINATION IN FEDERALLY-ASSISTED PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT 
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS--EFFECTUATION OF TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 
1964--Table of Contents
 
                           Subpart A--General
 
Sec. 18.7  Conduct of investigations.

    (a) Periodic compliance reviews. The responsible agency official or 
designee shall from time to time review the practices of recipients to 
determine whether they are complying with this part.
    (b) Complaints. Any person or any specific class of individuals who 
believe they have been subjected to discrimination prohibited by this 
part may themselves, or by a representative, file with the responsible 
agency official or designee a written complaint. A complaint must be 
filed not later than 180 days from the date of the alleged 
discrimination unless the time for filing is extended by the responsible 
agency offical or designee.
    (c) Investigations. The responsible agency official or designee will 
initiate a prompt investigation whenever a compliance review, report, 
complaint, or any other information indicates a possible failure to 
comply with this part. The investigation should include, where 
appropriate, a review of the pertinent practices and policies of the 
recipient, the circumstances under which the possible noncompliance with 
this part occurred, and other factors relevant to a determination as to 
whether the recipient has failed to comply with this part.
    (d) Resolution of matters. (1) If an investigation pursuant to 
paragraph (c) of this section indicates a failure to comply with this 
part, the responsible agency official or designee will so inform the 
recipient and the matter will be resolved by informal means whenever 
possible. If it has been determined that the matter cannot be resolved 
by informal means, action will be taken as provided for in Sec. 18.8.
    (2) If an investigation does not warrant action pursuant to 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section the responsible agency official or 
designee will so inform the recipient and the complainant, if any, in 
writing.
    (e) Intimidatory or retaliatory acts prohibited. No recipient or 
other person shall intimidate, threaten, coerce, or discriminate against 
any individual for the purpose of interfering with any right or 
privilege secured by section 601 of the Act or this part, or because the 
individual has made a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated in 
any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this part. 
The identity of complainants shall be kept confidential except to the 
extent necessary to carry out the purposes of this part, including the 
conduct of any investigation, hearing, or judicial proceeding arising 
thereunder.

[29 FR 19301, Dec. 31, 1964. Designated subpart A at 45 FR 63268, Sept. 
24, 1980 and amended at 51 FR 10384, Mar. 26, 1986]