The New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL) is a civil rights law that is embodied in Title 8 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York.[1][2][3] The law is enforced by the New York City Commission on Human Rights, a mayoral agency of the City of New York. Eight commissioners on the city’s Commission on Human Rights enforce New York City’s Human Rights Law.[4][5][6] As NYC mayors appoint commissioners, there is variable enforcement of the law depending on the degree of support and priorities of the City's current administration.[6]
| New York City Human Rights Law | |
|---|---|
| New York City Council | |
| Territorial extent | New York City |
| Enacted by | New York City Council |
| Administered by | New York City Commission on Human Rights |
| Status: Current legislation | |
The law prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on individuals' characteristics such as race, color, creed (or religion), age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, gender (including gender identity and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, disability, marital status and family status (such as partnership, parent, and caregiver status).[7][8][9][10][11]
Employment protections
editThe law requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, as does federal law. Since 2013, the NYCHRL also requires employers to make certain accommodations for pregnant workers,[12] It provides protection against discrimination in employment based on unemployment status, arrest or conviction record, and status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking, and sex offenses.[7] In 2020 employment discrimination law was expanded to cover freelancers and contractors.[13] The law also protects workers in individual households, such as paid caregivers, and unpaid interns.[7][14]
Other protections
editWith respect to access to housing, NYC's human rights law includes protections based on lawful occupation, family status, and any lawful source of income.[7] It also prohibits retaliation, bias-related harassment (including cyberbullying), and bias-related profiling by police affected by systemic racism.[7][14]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "The New York City Human Rights Law; Administrative Code of the City of New York, Title 8"
- ^ "Commission on Human Rights". nyc.gov.
- ^ Ross Barkan (November 6, 2014). "Letitia James Wants Bill de Blasio to Sack Human Rights Commissioner". Observer.
- ^ "Catherine Albisa '89 Named to New York City Commission on Human Rights". columbia.edu.
- ^ Ross Barkan (November 21, 2014). "Bill de Blasio Taps Carmelyn Malalis to Head Human Rights Commission". Observer.
- ^ a b "Major Shakeup at NYC Commission on Human Rights". The National Law Review.
- ^ a b c d e "New York City Commission on Human Rights". nyc.gov.
- ^ "NY chef awarded $1.6 million after restaurant owner promises her 'hell' for being a lesbian". rawstory.com.
- ^ "Trans Worker At Forever 21 Called 'Disgusting,' Suit Says". law360.com.
- ^ "NYPD Settles Claims of Hard-of-Hearing Officers". Courthouse News Service.
- ^ Habitat Magazine. "Ask the Attorney: Reasonable Accommodation for Disabled Residents". habitatmag.com.
- ^ "New York City Human Rights Law expanded to require employers to reasonably accommodate pregnant employees". lexology.com. October 11, 2013.
- ^ "New York City Factsheet Clarifies New Independent Contractor Protections, Including Training and Accommodations". EBG Law. February 7, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
- ^ a b "NYC Human Rights Law". antibiaslaw.com.