New Jersey Civil Rights Act
New Jersey was the third state in the Union to ratify the U.S. constitution in 1787, and the first state to ratify the Bill of Rights on November 20, 1789. The Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, which limit the powers of the federal government and spell out fundamental civil rights.
The U.S. Constitution remains a vital symbol of American freedoms and the framework of our society. Since its adoption, new Constitutional amendments have been adopted to expand civil rights. Many federal and New Jersey human rights laws were also enacted to enforce our civil rights.
About the New Jersey Human Rights Act
Devised to protect human rights in New Jersey, The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) prohibits discrimination on the basis of personal traits including the following:
- Race
- Creed
- Gender (including pregnancy)
- National origin (ethnicity)
- Age
- Sexual orientation
- Marital status
- Genetics and blood traits
- Mental or physical disabilities
- AIDS and HIV status
This New Jersey human rights law makes it unlawful for businesses, lenders, and others to subject people to differential treatment on the basis of their personal traits. Also, public facilities and venues must make reasonable modifications to accommodate the disabled.
New Jersey civil rights legislation also prohibits discrimination on the basis of English proficiency. The Civil Rights Division of the N.J. Department of Law and Public Safety makes civil rights information available in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Punjabi, as well as accommodating the blind and visually impaired.
Protecting your New Jersey civil rights
In New Jersey, you may file civil rights complaints with The N.J. Department of Law and Public Safety Division on Civil Rights via the official website, http://www.state.nj.us. The N.J. Civil Rights Division investigates violations of discrimination prohibited by the New Jersey LAD and other statutes.
The N.J. Civil Rights Division also offers voluntary mediation to resolve discriminatory disputes in the workplace, housing, or healthcare sectors, among other venues. It also enforces the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA), which requires covered employers to grant eligible employees time off from work in connection with the birth or adoption of a child or the serious illness of a parent, child, or spouse.
A New Jersey human rights lawyer, such as Attorney D. Gayle Loftis, can advise you of all rights protected under the New Jersey LAD and other statutes. Attorney D. Gayle Loftis earned accolades for her representation of people whose civil rights were violated. Her resourcefulness in applying unique theories of law to civil rights issues enabled her to extend the duty owed to plaintiffs in civil rights legal cases. Under certain circumstances, clients have no upfront costs. Her goal is to give a voice to those whose rights are violated by wealthy or powerful companies, institutions, and entities.
Contact us today
If you need a New Jersey human rights attorney, contact the law office of D. Gayle Loftis at 201-289-8904 or email us to schedule a consultation with the personalized attention your case deserves.
