Extension of Comment Period for Section 503 Rehabilitation Act Regulations

Regs.gov: Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs

Detected March 14th, 2026

Summary

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has extended the public comment period for proposed revisions to Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. The comment deadline has been moved from September 2, 2025, to September 17, 2025. This extension is intended to allow for additional stakeholder input on the proposed regulatory changes.

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What changed

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has extended the public comment period for its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) concerning Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The original comment deadline of September 2, 2025, has been moved to September 17, 2025. This 15-day extension is considered sufficient by the DOL, and no further extensions will be granted.

Regulated entities, particularly federal contractors, should be aware of this extended deadline and ensure any comments or feedback regarding the proposed revisions to Section 503 regulations are submitted by September 17, 2025. While this document itself does not impose new obligations, it is crucial for compliance officers to review the original NPRM and submit comments to influence the final rule, which will impact affirmative action and non-discrimination requirements for individuals with disabilities.

What to do next

Submit comments on the proposed rule modifications for Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act by September 17, 2025.
Review the original Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published on July 1, 2025, to understand the proposed changes.

Source document (simplified)

Content

ACTION:

Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

SUMMARY:

On July 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to revise the implementing
regulations for Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. The comment period for the NPRM was scheduled to
close on September 2, 2025. With this notice document, DOL is extending the comment period to September 17, 2025. Commenters
who have already submitted public comments do not need to resubmit their comments. DOL will consider all comments received
from the date of publication of the NPRM through the close of the extended comment period. Any previous denial of a request
to extend the comment period remains denied to the extent the request asked for more than a 15-day extension. Commentors are
encouraged to submit all comments by September 17, 2025, as no further extension will be granted.

DATES:

The comment period for the NPRM that was published on July 1, 2025, at 90 FR 28494, is extended. Comments should be received
on or before September 17, 2025.

ADDRESSES:

Comments must be submitted in one of the following two ways (please choose only one of the ways listed):

• Electronically at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the “Submit a comment” instructions. If you are reading this document on federalregister.gov, you may use the green “SUBMIT A PUBLIC COMMENT” button beneath this rulemaking's title to submit a comment to the regulations.gov docket.

• Via mail to the following address: Catherine L. Eschbach, Director, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20210. Mailed comments must be received by the close of the comment period.

Do not include any personally identifiable information (such as name, address, or other contact information) or confidential
business information that you do not want publicly disclosed. All comments are public records; they are publicly displayed
exactly as received, and will not be deleted, modified, or redacted. Comments may be submitted anonymously. Follow the search
instructions on https://www.regulations.gov to view public comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Catherine L. Eschbach, Director, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20210. Telephone: 202-693-0101. Email: ofccp_guidance@dol.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On July 1, 2025, DOL issued an NPRM to revise its implementing regulations for Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
as amended. The public comment period for the NPRM was scheduled to close on September 2, 2025. In response to public comments,
DOL is extending the public comment period to September 17, 2025. DOL believes this 15-day extension is sufficient and balances
the agency's need for stakeholder input with the Department's desire to proceed with the rulemaking in a timely manner. Any
prior denial of an extension request remains in effect to the extent the request asked for more than a 15-day extension. No
further extensions will be granted.

(Authority: 29 U.S.C. 793)

Catherine Eschbach, Director, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. [FR Doc. 2025-16920 Filed 9-2-25; 11:35 am] BILLING CODE 4510-CM-P