The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School (UMDNJ) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) reached a settlement resolving complaints under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that the university unlawfully excluded two applicants because they have hepatitis B, according to a DOJ statement. This is the first ADA settlement ever reached by the DOJ on behalf of people with hep B.

UMDNJ revoked two acceptances in 2011 because the applicants had hep B. The DOJ determined that the schools had no lawful basis for excluding the applicants, especially because the students were not required to perform invasive surgeries.

Under the agreement, UMDNJ must adopt a disability rights policy based on updated hep B recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), enroll the two applicants, provide them with $75,000 in compensation and tuition credits and provide ADA training to its employees.

According to the CDC, no transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been reported in the United States from primary care providers to patients since 1991.

To read the statement, click here.