Civil Rights Discrimination Complaints Process

The Town of Hilton Head Island, as a recipient of Federal funds, shall prevent discrimination in the provision of Federally funded programs, services, and activities. Federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of the following protected classes: race, color, national origin (including language), disability, sex, age, or religion.

The Town of Hilton Head Island has a civil rights discrimination complaint process providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging any action prohibited by Title V of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regulation 6 C.F.R. Part 19.

Any person alleging discrimination based on a protected class has the right to file a complaint within 30 days of the alleged discriminatory action. It is unlawful for the Town of Hilton Head Island to retaliate against anyone who files a complaint or cooperates in the investigation of a complaint. Complaints may be accepted verbally, in writing, anonymously, and from third party representatives and shall include the following information:

• Name, address, phone number and email address of complainant.
• Specific name and location of entity delivering the program, service or activity.
• Nature of the incident, action, or method of administration that led complainant to feel discriminated against.
• Basis on which complainant feels discriminated (race, color, national origin (including language), disability, sex, age, or religion).
• Names, titles, business addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of persons who may have knowledge of the discriminatory action.
• Dates during which the alleged discriminatory actions occurred, or if continuing, the duration of such actions.

The Town of Hilton Head Island shall notify the public of the process for filing a complaint via a summary description posted on the Town of Hilton Head Island website or in facilities where Federally funded programs or activities are conducted.

Complainants with disabilities or limited English proficiency may access the complaint process by contacting the Town Administration Manager/FOIA Compliance Officer, at Hilton Head Island Town Hall, 1 Town Center Court, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, or via email FaidraS@hiltonheadislandsc.gov, or via telephone at 843-341-4600. Alternatives for accessing the complaint process may include but are not limited to provision of translated documents, oral interpretation, Braille, large print, or audiotape.

Complaints of discrimination shall be directed to the Town Administration Manager/FOIA Compliance Officer at Hilton Head Island Town Hall, 1 Town Center Court, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 or via email FaidraS@hiltonheadislandsc.gov, or via telephone at 843-341-4600. Complaints received and status updates will be maintained via a tracking spreadsheet by the Town staff member mentioned above.

After the filing of a complaint, an internal investigation shall be conducted by the Town Manager, or their designee to determine its validity. This investigation may be informal, but it must be thorough, allowing all interested parties an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the complaint. The Town Manager, or their designee will maintain files and records relating to such complaints.

A written decision as to the validity of the complaint and a description of the resolution, if any, shall be issued by the Town Manager, or their designee, and a copy (in the complainant's preferred format) forwarded to the complaint no later than 30 days after its filing.

The complainant may request a reconsideration of the case in instances where they are dissatisfied with the resolution. The request for reconsideration must be made within 30 days of receipt of the Town Manager's determination. The request for reconsideration may be directed to the Town Council of the Town of Hilton Head Island at 1 Town Center Court, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928. The request will be reviewed, and a final determination shall be issued within 30 days after its submittal.

The right of a person to a prompt and equitable resolution of the complaint filed shall not be impaired by the person's pursuit of other remedies. Utilization of this complaint process is not a prerequisite to the pursuit of other remedies.