This bill amends the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) to enhance protections for military service members 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. This list already includes various characteristics such as race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, and nationality. The bill emphasizes that discrimination against military personnel not only harms the individuals affected but also threatens the rights of all state inhabitants. It clarifies that all individuals have the right to employment and access to public accommodations without discrimination based on military service, reinforcing that this right is a civil right subject to the same conditions as other protected categories.

Additionally, the bill strengthens existing anti-discrimination laws by prohibiting discriminatory practices in employment, housing, and public accommodations. It mandates that employers cannot discriminate against individuals based on their military service and must comply with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. The legislation also introduces provisions for reasonable accommodations for employees' religious practices and addresses wage disparities to ensure equitable compensation for protected classes. By broadening the scope of anti-discrimination protections and reinforcing the consequences for violations, the bill aims to create a more inclusive environment for all individuals, particularly those who serve or have served in the military.

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