Groups of Protected Categories

‍The New Jersey Division on Civil Rights offers a great deal of information about the laws, regulations and policies related to civil rights in New Jersey.

‍New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD)

‍The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq.) (LAD) makes it unlawful to subject people to discrimination or harassment based on:

  • Ancestry
  • Breastfeeding
  • Color
  • Creed
  • Disability
  • Domestic partnership/civil union status
  • Familial status
  • Gender identity or expression
  • Liability for military service
  • Marital status
  • National origin
  • Nationality
  • Pregnancy
  • Race
  • Sex
  • Sexual orientation
  • In some cases, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information and age

The LAD prohibits unlawful discrimination in employment, housing, places of public accommodation, credit and business contracts. Not all of the foregoing prohibited bases for discrimination are protected in all of these areas of activity. For example, familial status is only protected with respect to housing.

Further Information

  • Age - Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
  • Ancestry
  • Atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information - Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act
  • Breastfeeding
  • Color
  • Creed
  • Disability Status - Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
  • Domestic Partnership/Civil Union Status
  • Familial Status - Civil Rights Act of 1968 Title VIII: Prohibits discrimination for having children, with an exception for senior housing. Also prohibits making a preference for those with children
  • Liability for Military Service/Veteran's Rights (PDF) - Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
  • Marital Status
  • Nationality - Civil Rights Act of 1954
  • Pregnancy - Pregnancy Discrimination Act
  • Race - Civil Rights Act of 1954
  • Sex - Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Civil Rights Act of 1954
  • Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression - as of Bostock v Clayton County - Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • Union Status