Dear Colleagues,

Please find a federal government update from our teams.

HHS Announces Policy to End High-Risk Pathogen Research
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on July 28 new policies to halt federal funding for gain-of-function and other high-risk pathogen research. The announcement implements President Trump’s May 5, 2025 Executive Order, Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research, which directed HHS to strengthen oversight of federally funded pathogen research and restrict funding for certain gain-of-function and other high-risk projects. HHS noted the changes are intended to reduce biosafety risks, including potential laboratory accidents and misuse of dangerous pathogens, while supporting safe biomedical research.

ED Releases Final Rule Rescinding Some Title VI Regulations
The Department of Education’s (ED) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released a final rule on July 24 that rescinds several regulatory provisions related to disparate-impact liability in Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The rule is included in OMB’s Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. It also implements Executive Order 4281, which directs federal agencies to eliminate the use of disparate-impact liability. ED says the changes are intended to align Title VI enforcement with statute, focusing on intentional discrimination instead of demographic data..

DOJ Updates Disability Rights Guidance
The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued updated guidance on July 20, saying that the guidance for the Americans with Disability Act’s (ADA) integration mandate was “not enforceable.” The ADA integration mandate requires equal access, prevention of unnecessary segregation and ensures full integration of persons with disabilities in their communities and students within schools, campus programs, housing and activities.

Federal Judge Rules Against Illinois in In-State Tuition Lawsuit
A federal judge ruled against the state of Illinois on July 24, permanently blocking several state laws that allow certain undocumented students access to in-state tuition as well as state financial aid and scholarships. The judge ruled the laws are unconstitutional because they conflict with immigration statutes that only allow educational benefits to undocumented students based on state residency if the benefits are also extended to U.S. citizens regardless of residency.

The Federal Relations and General Counsel teams are actively monitoring developments at the federal level. We are working closely with the President and Chancellors, as well as the Colorado congressional delegation to champion CU priorities. We are committed to keeping you informed. Please visit the CU System Federal Updates and Actions page for up-to-date communications and federal memos.

Danielle Radovich Piper, Sr. VP External Relations and Strategy  
Kerry Tipper, Vice President, University Counsel