This bill amends the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on height and weight, adding these characteristics to the list of existing protected categories, which include race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, and disability. The new legal language inserted into the law clarifies that it is unlawful for any person to refuse to engage in business or provide services based on an individual's height or weight, as well as for their family members or associates. The bill also addresses discrimination in contracts, letters of credit, and membership in organizations related to housing and real estate, ensuring that individuals are protected from bias based on these attributes.

In addition to these provisions, the bill mandates that employers accommodate employees affected by pregnancy or breastfeeding and prohibits them from imposing conditions that would require employees to violate their religious practices unless they can demonstrate undue hardship. It also strengthens penalties for violations, particularly for holders of alcoholic beverage licenses who discriminate against club members, and requires notices regarding rights and responsibilities under this act to be posted. Overall, the bill aims to create a more inclusive environment in New Jersey by broadening the scope of discrimination protections and aligning the state's laws with those of other states that recognize height and weight as protected categories.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 10:5-3, 10:5-4, 10:5-6, 10:5-8, 10:5-9.1, 10:5-10, 10:5-12, 10:5-12.5