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 factors such as nationality, gender identity or expression, and genetic information, while also clarifying terms related to employment and housing. The bill emphasizes the importance of equal access to housing and employment opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background, and aims to address the personal hardships caused by discrimination, which can lead to economic and emotional distress.

Additionally, the bill strengthens the authority of the Division on Civil Rights, empowering it to investigate complaints and conduct educational programs to promote goodwill among diverse communities. It raises the threshold for lawful retirement practices and removes provisions that allowed employment restrictions based on U.S. citizenship when required by federal law. The legislation also incorporates gender-neutral language and includes technical changes for clarity, ensuring comprehensive protections against discrimination while promoting fair treatment in various sectors.

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