This bill amends New Jersey's "Law Against Discrimination" to strengthen protections against discrimination in housing and employment, particularly focusing on 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 facing discrimination based on these factors. The bill also introduces new definitions, such as "source of lawful income," which encompasses various forms of income, including public assistance and rental assistance vouchers. Additionally, it establishes that housing for older persons must include significant facilities and services tailored to their needs, with at least 80% of units occupied by individuals aged 55 or older.

Moreover, the bill clarifies definitions related to discrimination, including "employer" and "housing accommodation," and expands the scope of the Division on Civil Rights to include protections against discrimination based on source of lawful income. It mandates the Attorney General to adopt regulations to prevent unlawful discrimination and outlines the responsibilities of the Division, including investigating complaints and promoting educational programs. The bill also updates the definition of unlawful employment practices to include discrimination based on genetic information and strengthens protections against retaliation for individuals opposing discriminatory practices. Notably, it raises the threshold for lawful retirement practices and removes provisions allowing employment restrictions based on U.S. citizenship, while ensuring gender-neutral language throughout the legislation.

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