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Bill

Bill

A 1996

Enhances protections under Law Against Discrimination for immigrants and persons who are not United States citizens.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Annette Quijano

New Jersey bill extends discrimination protections to immigrants and non-citizens in employment, housing, and public accommodations, clarifying their LAD coverage rights.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee
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Bill Summary · A 1996

Legislative bill overview

Bill A 1996 expands New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination (LAD) to explicitly protect immigrants and non-U.S. citizens from employment, housing, public accommodation, and credit discrimination. The bill clarifies that immigration status cannot be used as a basis for discrimination in these protected areas.

Why is this important

New Jersey's LAD already prohibits discrimination based on various protected characteristics, but this bill removes ambiguity about whether immigrants and non-citizens qualify for these protections. This directly affects workplace rights, housing access, and service provision for an estimated 2+ million immigrants in New Jersey, establishing clearer legal standing for discrimination complaints.

Potential points of contention

  • Employer concerns: Business groups may worry about increased liability exposure and compliance costs, particularly regarding verification procedures and employment eligibility
  • Immigration policy intersection: Some argue discrimination protections should align with federal immigration enforcement priorities, while others contend civil rights protections should be status-blind
  • Implementation clarity: Questions about how protections interact with federal I-9 verification requirements and whether employers face conflicting obligations under state vs. federal law

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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