28 CFR Part 35 · Subpart F — Compliance Procedures
§ 35.171 Acceptance of complaints
Last updated June 11, 2026
What 28 CFR §35.171 requires of state and local governments.
In Plain Language
When a complaint is filed under Title II, the designated federal agency reviews it to determine whether it has jurisdiction and whether the complaint states a potential violation. Complaints outside the agency's jurisdiction are referred to the correct agency. Complaints that are not timely or do not allege a cognizable violation may be dismissed. When accepted, the complainant and the public entity are notified.
This summary is educational, not legal advice. The official text below controls.
Official Regulatory Text — 28 CFR § 35.171
Verbatim from 28 CFR Part 35, current through June 9, 2026.
(a) Receipt of complaints. (1)(i) Any Federal agency that receives a complaint of discrimination on the basis of disability by a public entity shall promptly review the complaint to determine whether it has jurisdiction over the complaint under section 504.
(ii) If the agency does not have section 504 jurisdiction, it shall promptly determine whether it is the designated agency under subpart G of this part responsible for complaints filed against that public entity.
(2)(i) If an agency other than the Department of Justice determines that it does not have section 504 jurisdiction and is not the designated agency, it shall promptly refer the complaint to the appropriate designated agency, the agency that has section 504 jurisdiction, or the Department of Justice, and so notify the complainant.
(ii) When the Department of Justice receives a complaint for which it does not have jurisdiction under section 504 and is not the designated agency, it may exercise jurisdiction pursuant to § 35.190(e) or refer the complaint to an agency that does have jurisdiction under section 504 or to the appropriate agency designated in subpart G of this part or, in the case of an employment complaint that is also subject to title I of the Act, to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
(3)(i) If the agency that receives a complaint has section 504 jurisdiction, it shall process the complaint according to its procedures for enforcing section 504.
(ii) If the agency that receives a complaint does not have section 504 jurisdiction, but is the designated agency, it shall process the complaint according to the procedures established by this subpart.
(b) Employment complaints. (1) If a complaint alleges employment discrimination subject to title I of the Act, and the agency has section 504 jurisdiction, the agency shall follow the procedures issued by the Department of Justice and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under section 107(b) of the Act.
(2) If a complaint alleges employment discrimination subject to title I of the Act, and the designated agency does not have section 504 jurisdiction, the agency shall refer the complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for processing under title I of the Act.
(3) Complaints alleging employment discrimination subject to this part, but not to title I of the Act shall be processed in accordance with the procedures established by this subpart.
(c) Complete complaints. (1) A designated agency shall accept all complete complaints under this section and shall promptly notify the complainant and the public entity of the receipt and acceptance of the complaint.
(2) If the designated agency receives a complaint that is not complete, it shall notify the complainant and specify the additional information that is needed to make the complaint a complete complaint. If the complainant fails to complete the complaint, the designated agency shall close the complaint without prejudice.
[Order No. 1512-91, 56 FR 35716, July 26, 1991, as amended by AG Order No. 3180-2010, 75 FR 56184, Sept. 15, 2010]
What § 35.171 Means in Practice
- Federal agencies that receive a Title II complaint must determine whether they have jurisdiction and, if not, refer it to the right agency
- Misdirected complaints are referred, not discarded, and the complainant must be notified
- Complaints that are incomplete may require more information before processing
- Agencies with both Section 504 and designated-agency jurisdiction process the complaint under both authorities
Common Questions
What if the complaint is filed with the wrong agency?
It should be referred to the correct designated agency. The complainant should not have to refile in most cases.
How long does the intake review take?
Varies by agency and caseload. Agencies aim to complete intake reviews within 30-60 days, though timelines vary.
Does § 35.171 apply to your entity?
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