This bill amends New Jersey's "Law Against Discrimination" to enhance protections against discrimination in housing and employment, particularly focusing on source of lawful income and age discrimination. It expands the definition of unlawful discrimination to include "nationality" and "source of lawful income used for rental or mortgage payments," while also introducing new definitions for terms such as "source of lawful income," which encompasses various income types, including public assistance and rental assistance vouchers. The bill emphasizes the importance of protecting individuals from discrimination based on a broader range of characteristics, including gender identity or expression, and genetic information, thereby promoting equality and economic prosperity within the state.

Additionally, the bill strengthens the authority of the Division on Civil Rights, empowering it to investigate complaints and conduct educational programs to foster goodwill among diverse communities. It 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, and removes a provision that permitted employment restrictions based on U.S. citizenship for federal law compliance. The legislation also incorporates gender-neutral language and clarifies existing provisions to ensure fair treatment in employment and housing practices, with the aim of eliminating discrimination and promoting inclusivity across various sectors.

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