This bill amends New Jersey's "Law Against Discrimination" to strengthen protections against discrimination in housing and employment, particularly concerning "source of lawful income" and age discrimination. It expands the definition of discrimination to include "nationality" and "source of lawful income used for rental or mortgage payments," thereby enhancing protections for individuals relying on various income sources, such as public assistance and housing vouchers. The bill also clarifies definitions related to employment and housing, ensuring inclusivity in terms like "employer," "housing accommodation," and "public facility." It mandates that the Attorney General adopt regulations to ensure housing for older persons meets specific criteria and updates the responsibilities of the Division on Civil Rights to investigate complaints based on these new categories.

Additionally, the bill raises the threshold for lawful retirement practices, allowing employers to require retirement if an employee is entitled to an immediate retirement benefit of at least $44,000, up from $27,000. It removes a provision that permitted employers to restrict employment to U.S. citizens when required by federal law or for national security reasons. The legislation aims to create a more inclusive environment by reinforcing existing anti-discrimination laws, expanding protections against a broader range of discriminatory practices, and ensuring gender-neutral language throughout the statute. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 10:5-3, 10:5-5, 10:5-6, 10:5-8, 10:5-12