New York City Human Rights Law Explained

Short Title:	New York City Human Rights Law
Territorial Extent:	New York City
Enacted By:	New York City Council
Administered By:	New York City Commission on Human Rights
Status:	current

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]

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

The 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

With 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 law enforcement.^{[7] [14]}

See also

• Human rights commission
• Human rights defender
• LGBT rights in New York
• New York Human Rights Law
• NYC Pride March

External links

• Text of New York City Human Rights Law

Notes and References

1. http://www.nyc.gov/html/cchr/downloads/pdf/human-rights/nyc-human-rights-law.pdf "The New York City Human Rights Law; Administrative Code of the City of New York, Title 8"
2. Web site: Commission on Human Rights. nyc.gov.
3. Web site: Letitia James Wants Bill de Blasio to Sack Human Rights Commissioner. Ross Barkan. Observer. November 6, 2014 .
4. Web site: Catherine Albisa '89 Named to New York City Commission on Human Rights. columbia.edu.
5. Web site: Bill de Blasio Taps Carmelyn Malalis to Head Human Rights Commission . Ross Barkan. Observer. November 21, 2014 .
6. Web site: Major Shakeup at NYC Commission on Human Rights. The National Law Review.
7. Web site: New York City Commission on Human Rights. nyc.gov.
8. Web site: NY chef awarded $1.6 million after restaurant owner promises her 'hell' for being a lesbian. rawstory.com.
9. Web site: Trans Worker At Forever 21 Called 'Disgusting,' Suit Says. law360.com.
10. Web site: NYPD Settles Claims of Hard-of-Hearing Officers . Courthouse News Service.
11. Web site: Ask the Attorney: Reasonable Accommodation for Disabled Residents. Habitat Magazine. habitatmag.com.
12. Web site: New York City Human Rights Law expanded to require employers to reasonably accommodate pregnant employees. lexology.com. October 11, 2013 .
13. Web site: New York City Factsheet Clarifies New Independent Contractor Protections, Including Training and Accommodations . EBG Law . February 7, 2020 . July 23, 2023.
14. Web site: NYC Human Rights Law. antibiaslaw.com.