The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), Public Law 105-220 (August 7, 1998), provides the framework for a reformed national workforce preparation and employment system designed to meet the needs of the nation's employers, job seekers, and those who want to further their careers. While WIA makes many programmatic changes in the workforce devcelopment system authorized under the Job Training Partenership Act of 1982 (JTPA), one constant has been the prohibition against discrimination. The nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of JTPA (section 167) prohibit discrimination against applicants, beneficiaries and employees on the baese of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, religion, and political affiliation or belief. Section 167 also prohibits discrimination against beneficiaries on the bases of citizenship and participation in JTPA. The nondiscrimination and equal opportunity provisions of WIA (section 188) prohibit discrimination against applicants, beneficiaries and employees on the same bases.

In addition to Section 188, Workforce Investment Act of 1998, the following Laws and Regulations are included prohibiting discrimination: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Section 504, Rehabilitaion Act of 1973; Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (Partial); Title IX, Education Amendments Act of 1972 (Partial); Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987; 29 CFR Part 37 - Implementation of the Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Provisions of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998; Final Rule; Title 29, Part 31, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) - Nondiscrimination in Federally AssistedPrograms of the Department of Labor, effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; and Title 29, Part 32, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) - Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Programs and Activities or Benefiting from Federal Assistance.