Division on Civil Rights

File a Civil Rights Complaint

Learn how to file or respond to a complaint of discrimination, and how to register your organization to receive complaints, through the NJ Bias Investigation Access System (NJBIAS).

Housing Discrimination Protections

The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) prohibits discrimination in housing based on actual or perceived protected characteristics. The Fair Chance in Housing Act prohibits landlords from rejecting prospective tenants because of their criminal history except in certain limited circumstances.

Anti-Racist Statement

Read DCR’s statement and commitment to anti-racist work.

Our Resources

Division on Civil Rights Fact Sheets offer brief overviews of different areas covered by the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD), the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA), and the Fair Chance in Housing Act (FCHA) in 14 different languages. View our library of resources, including fact sheets, reports, model policies, and more.

How to File a Complaint
Click here to learn more about how to file a complaint with the Division on Civil Rights

2023-2024 Youth Ambassador Program
Click here to learn more about our 10 month program tailored for young people (13-19 years old) with a passion for civil rights.
Applications are due by Friday, September 15, 2023.

AG Platkin Announces Completion of Investigation Into 2022 General Election in Monmouth County

September 6, 2023 – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division on Civil Rights (DCR) announced that former Attorney General Peter C. Harvey has completed his investigation into the November 2022 General Election in Monmouth County. Mr. Harvey provided a report on the findings from the investigation and another report presenting related recommendations to improve the state’s election procedures. Attorney General Platkin has released both reports to the public. Read the press statement here.

AG Platkin and the Division on Civil Rights Announce a $575K Settlement Resolving Civil Rights Lawsuit Against Jackson Township

August 28, 2023 – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division on Civil Rights (DCR) announced that DCR has reached a settlement resolving a lawsuit it filed alleging that Jackson Township violated the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) by discriminating against Orthodox Jewish residents through, among other things, the use of zoning and land use powers that made it harder for Orthodox Jews to practice their religion. Read the press statement here.

AG Platkin and Acting DOE Commissioner Allen-McMillan Release Guide for Addressing Discrimination in School Discipline

August 28, 2023 – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and Acting Department of Education (DOE) Commissioner Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan announced the release of a comprehensive guidance document on preventing discrimination in school discipline. The document, which was developed by the Division on Civil Rights (DCR) in collaboration with DOE, provides schools across New Jersey with important information to ensure that their student codes of conduct and discipline policies do not discriminate, either intentionally or unintentionally, against students on the basis of a protected characteristic. Read the press statement here.

Statement from Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin on Preliminary Injunction Prohibiting Discriminatory School District Policies

August 18, 2023 – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced that the Superior Court has granted a preliminary injunction prohibiting the new policies enacted by the Middletown, Marlboro, and Manalapan-Englishtown Boards of Education from entering into effect while the cases challenging those policies are ongoing. Read the press statement here.

2nd Annual Youth Bias Task Force Student Art Exhibit

August 10 to September 13, 2023

The NJ Division on Civil Rights invites you to check out our 2nd Annual Youth Bias Task Force Student Art Exhibit at Liberty State Park.

The student art showcase will be at the
Central Railroad of NJ Terminal
from August 10 to September 13.

The address is 1 Audrey Zapp Dr., Jersey City, NJ 07305.
Free short term parking and paid parking lots are available on site.

The Impact of Bias on Muslim Communities in New Jersey

September 20, 2023 | 6:30-8:00pm

Come and be part of a conversation with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR) and explore the impact of bias on the Muslim community. DCR’s panel of subject matter experts will share information on bias-based harassment and Islamophobia. The program will offer strategies to mitigate the impact of prejudice and combat bias and hate in New Jersey.

Register Now: bit.ly/BiasinMuslimCommunities

Required Posters

On August 1, 2022, DCR adopted new and amended regulations to increase the visibility and effectiveness of posters that the State requires employers, housing providers, and places of public accommodation to display to inform people of their rights under New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination (LAD) and Family Leave Act (FLA). All covered businesses, employers, and housing providers are required by law to display the applicable posters.

If you have prior versions of these posters displayed, please remove them and replace them with the updated posters, which can be found here. Click here to read the regulations and here to read the press release.

Multiple Dwelling Reporting Rule
Click here to learn more about the Multiple Dwelling Reporting Rule or to file your report.

DCR Events & Updates

File a Complaint

Learn more about how to file a civil rights complaint with DCR.

Civil Rights Trainings

The New Jersey Division on Civil Rights offers interactive trainings aimed at preventing and addressing discrimination through their Education and Training Unit.

See training topics and registration links here.

Fair Chance in Housing Act

Beginning January 1, 2022 DCR now enforces the Fair Chance in Housing Act. Click here to learn more about the law.

Bias Incident Report, 2020

Read the complete Bias Incident Report, 2020 here

Immigrants and Refugees

We stand with immigrant and refugee communities. Our division enforces the Law Against Discrimination to protect all NJ residents regardless of immigration status. Learn more here.

Regulations

Learn more about DCR’s proposed changes and finalized changes to regulations.

NJBIAS

Learn how to file or respond to a complaint of discrimination, and how to register your organization to receive complaints, through the NJ Bias Investigation Access System (NJBIAS).