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By this rule, the Department of Commerce (Department) amends its regulations at 15 CFR part 8b, which effectuate section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and section 119 of the Rehabilitation, Comprehensive Services, and Developmental Disabilities Amendments of 1978 (1978 Amendments) with respect to programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance.  The Department is making these regulatory amendments to (1) ensure that its regulations properly reflect and conform with the strict causation standard established in 29 U.S.C. 794(a); (2) remove obsolete requirements; (3) remove ambiguous provisions animated by a theory of disparate-impact liability; and (4) remove other unnecessary and burdensome restrictions and requirements.  This action is necessary to conform the Department’s regulations to the underlying statutory language, reduce regulatory complexity, and alleviate the regulatory burden on recipients of Federal financial assistance.  The intent of this action is to accomplish those goals while maintaining the core statutory prohibition against intentional discrimination solely on the basis of handicap.