This bill amends the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) to enhance protections for military personnel and veterans by explicitly adding "service in the Armed Forces of the United States or liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States" to the list of protected categories against discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. The bill emphasizes that discrimination based on military service is a significant concern for the state and threatens the rights of its inhabitants. It also clarifies that all individuals have the right to access employment and public accommodations without facing discrimination based on their military status, reinforcing that these rights are civil rights subject to the same conditions as other protected categories.

In addition to expanding the scope of protected categories, the bill introduces provisions to strengthen anti-discrimination measures, including prohibiting discriminatory inquiries in job applications and advertisements, and ensuring that employers accommodate employees' religious practices. It mandates that employers cannot impose conditions that force employees to violate their religious beliefs and must provide reasonable accommodations for such observances. The bill also addresses wage disparities among protected classes and establishes penalties for violations, particularly for those holding alcoholic beverage licenses. Overall, the legislation aims to create a more inclusive legal framework that promotes equality and protects the rights of diverse groups, particularly military personnel and veterans.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 10:5-3, 10:5-4, 10:5-5, 10:5-6, 10:5-8, 10:5-9.1, 10:5-12, 10:5-39