Crime: Compass Career Management L.L.C. in Hammond, Louisiana has been accused of discriminating against an applicant with HIV in its Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program. According to the Justice Department, the college conditionally accepted the applicant into the program but issued a follow-up letter discouraging them from pursuing enrollment after discovering the applicant’s HIV status.
The college allegedly advised the applicant that the class was full and did not admit them, despite the applicant’s attempts to finalize enrollment. The Justice Department has reached an agreement with Compass Career Management L.L.C. to remedy violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Under the terms of the consent decree, the college will implement a nondiscrimination policy, stop questioning applicants and students about their HIV status, train college administrators and instructors on ADA requirements, and report to the Justice Department on its compliance with the decree.
The college will also pay $30,000 in compensatory damages to the applicant and a civil penalty of $5,000 to the United States. The consent decree, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, must be approved by the court.
“We continue to work to eradicate discriminatory and stigmatizing treatment of people with HIV based on unfounded fears and stereotypes,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta of the Civil Rights Division.
The college’s actions are a clear violation of the ADA, which prohibits public accommodations from discriminating against people with disabilities, including those with HIV. Compass Career Management L.L.C. has agreed to implement policies to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Defendant: Compass Career Management L.L.C.
Criminal Charges: Discrimination against an applicant with HIV in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
City and State: Hammond, Louisiana
Date: 2023
Sentence or Outcome: Compass Career Management L.L.C. has agreed to settle with the Justice Department and implement policies to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Dollar Amounts: $30,000 in compensatory damages to the applicant and a civil penalty of $5,000 to the United States.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Public Corruption|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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