| 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 | |
TheNew York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL) is acivil rights law that is embodied in Title 8 of theAdministrative Code of the City of New York.[1][2][3] The law is enforced by the New York City Commission on Human Rights, amayoral agency of theCity 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, andpublic accommodations based on individuals' characteristics such as race, color,creed (or religion), age, national origin,alienage or citizenship status, gender (includinggender identity andsexual harassment),sexual orientation,disability, marital status and family status (such as partnership, parent, and caregiver status).[7][8][9][10][11]
The law requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, as doesfederal law. Since 2013, the NYCHRL also requires employers to make certain accommodations forpregnant workers,[12] It provides protection against discrimination in employment based on unemployment status, arrest or conviction record, and status as a victim ofdomestic violence,stalking, andsex 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]
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 (includingcyberbullying), and bias-related profiling by police affected by systemic racism.[7][14]