Bill Text: NJ S3331 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Provides that denial of services based on a person's disability or perceived disability by domestic violence shelters is unlawful discrimination.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-01-11 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee [S3331 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-S3331-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JOSEPH P. CRYAN
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Provides that denial of services based on a person's disability or perceived disability by domestic violence shelters is unlawful discrimination.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning unlawful discrimination by domestic violence shelters and supplementing Title 10 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. It shall be an unlawful discrimination for a shelter that operates under the "Shelters for Victims of Domestic Violence Act," P.L.1979, c.337 (C.30:14-1 et seq.) to deny admission to a person seeking the shelter's services based on that person's disability or perceived disability. Whenever the Attorney General receives a complaint alleging an unlawful discrimination pursuant to this section, a complaint shall be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the "Law Against Discrimination," P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et seq.).
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill incorporates in statute that it shall be an unlawful discrimination for a shelter that operates under the "Shelters for Victims of Domestic Violence Act," P.L.1979, c.337 (C.30:14-1 et seq.) to deny admission to a person seeking the shelter's services based on that person's disability or perceived disability. This bill supplements the "Law Against Discrimination," P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et seq.) and provides that if the Attorney General receives a complaint alleging this type of unlawful discrimination, a complaint shall be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the "Law Against Discrimination." Remedies available under the "Law Against Discrimination" include, in addition to any other relief or affirmative action provided by law, liability for penalties as set forth in section 2 of P.L.1983, c.412 (C.10:5-14.1a). The penalties shall be determined by the Director of the Division of Civil Rights. Maximum amounts set forth in the statute provide for: (1) an amount not exceeding $10,000 if the respondent has not committed any prior violation within the five-year period preceding the new charge; (2) an amount not exceeding $25,000 if the respondent has been adjudged to have committed one other violation within the five-year period; and (3) an amount not exceeding $50,000 if the respondent has committed two or more violations within the seven-year period.
