Sponsored by:
Senator LORETTA WEINBERG
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Amends “Law Against Discrimination” to include crime victims as protected status.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning victims of crime and amending P.L.1945, c.169.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 4 of P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-4) is amended to read as follows:
4. a. All persons shall have the opportunity to obtain employment, and to obtain all the accommodations, advantages, facilities, and privileges of any place of public accommodation, publicly assisted housing accommodation, and other real property without discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, familial status, disability, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, nationality, sex, gender identity or expression [or], source of lawful income used for rental or mortgage payments, or crime victim status subject only to conditions and limitations applicable alike to all persons. This opportunity is recognized as and declared to be a civil right.
b. For the purposes of this section, “victim” shall include a victim as defined in section 4 of P.L.1985, c.249 (C.52:4B-37) and a victim of domestic violence as defined in subsection d. of section 3 of P.L.1991, c.261 (C.2C:25-19).
(cf: P.L.2017, c.184, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill adds crime victims as a protected status under this State’s “Law Against Discrimination.”
The bill defines a “victim” as a person who suffers personal, physical, or psychological injury or death or incurs loss of or injury to personal or real property as a result of a crime committed by an adult, or an act of delinquency that would constitute a crime if committed by an adult, against that person. "Victim" also includes the spouse, parent, legal guardian, grandparent, child, sibling, domestic partner or civil union partner of the decedent in the case of a criminal homicide or act of juvenile delinquency that would constitute a criminal homicide if committed by an adult. A victim further includes a victim of domestic violence under the bill.
Discrimination in the workplace and in public and private housing has become an additional burden crime victims bear as a result of their victimization. Victims of homicide, sexual offenses, and domestic violence who are required to cooperate with law enforcement in prosecuting the defendant often experience adverse employment treatment, including termination. Victims also are subject to eviction when a landlord discovers they have been involved in a violent crime.