This bill amends the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) to enhance protections for military service members and veterans by explicitly including "service in the Armed Forces of the United States or liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States" as a protected category against discrimination. This addition aims to safeguard individuals from bias in employment, housing, and public accommodations, reinforcing that discrimination not only harms the affected individuals but also threatens the rights of all state inhabitants. The bill also aligns with federal protections under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, making it unlawful for employers to deny reemployment to individuals who take military leave.

In addition to expanding the categories of protected characteristics, the bill introduces provisions that require employers to accommodate employees' religious practices and observances, including those related to pregnancy and breastfeeding. It emphasizes the need for equitable compensation for employees in protected classes and updates the LAD by replacing gendered language with gender-neutral terms. The bill clarifies that only unlawful discrimination is prohibited, ensuring that practices can be justified by substantial, legitimate, nondiscriminatory interests. Overall, the legislation aims to create a more inclusive legal framework that promotes equality and civil rights for all individuals in New Jersey.

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