[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 13 (Friday, January 19, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 2804]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-00816]



[[Page 2804]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary


Office for Civil Rights; Statement of Delegation

    In accordance with Executive Order 13798 Promoting Free Speech and 
Religious Liberty (May 4, 2017), 82 FR 21675, and the Attorney 
General's Guidance on Federal Law Protections for Religious Liberty 
(October 6, 2017), notice is hereby given that I have delegated to the 
Director of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), or his or her successor, 
authority over implementation of and compliance with the Religious 
Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), 42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq., relating to 
programs or activities funded, conducted, or administered by the 
Department.
    Pursuant to this delegation, the OCR Director shall have the 
authority to:
    (1) Accept and investigate complaints filed by individuals or 
entities alleging a failure by any departmental component to comply 
with RFRA;
    (2) conduct RFRA compliance reviews of departmental programs or 
activities;
    (3) provide technical assistance to departmental components 
regarding RFRA compliance;
    (4) evaluate the effectiveness of RFRA complaint processing by OCR 
and provide reports to appropriate oversight organizations; and
    (5) initiate such other actions as may be necessary to facilitate 
and ensure compliance with RFRA.
    This authority may be redelegated. If the OCR Director chooses to 
redelegate this authority, the OCR Director will maintain primary 
responsibility and accountability for implementation of this section. 
This delegation is effective upon date of signature. I hereby affirm 
and ratify any actions taken by the Director of OCR or subordinates 
which involved the exercise of the authorities delegated herein prior 
to the effective day of this delegation.

    Dated: December 7, 2017.
Eric D. Hargan,
Acting Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. 2018-00816 Filed 1-18-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4153-01-P