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By this rule, the Department of Commerce (Department) amends its regulations at 15 CFR part 8c, which govern nondiscrimination on the basis of handicap in programs or activities conducted by the Department itself, to (1) conform more closely with the strict causation requirement of 29 U.S.C. 794(a); (2) remove outdated requirements; (3) remove ambiguous language focused on actions that have the effect of subjecting individuals to discrimination; and (4) remove certain other unnecessary and burdensome requirements.  This action is necessary to ensure that that the Department’s regulatory effectuation of section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and section 119 of the Rehabilitation, Comprehensive Services, and Developmental Disabilities Amendments of 1978 (1978 Amendments) conforms to the underlying statutory language, to reduce regulatory complexity, and to alleviate regulatory burden.  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.