Recent Activities
Notice of Adoption: Civil Fines & Penalties Rule
Protection for Domestic Workers from Harassment
Reasonable Accommodation in Public Accommodations
Listen to our Fair Housing PSA
Mission Statement
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New York has the proud distinction
of being the first state in the nation to enact a Human Rights Law, which
affords every citizen “an equal opportunity to enjoy a full and productive
life.” This law prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, credit,
places of public accommodations, and non-sectarian educational institutions,
based on age, race, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital
status, disability, military status, and other specified classes.
The New York State Division of Human Rights was created to enforce this
important law. The mission of the agency is to ensure that " every
individual . . . has an equal opportunity to participate fully in the economic,
cultural and intellectual life of the State." It does so in many ways,
including the following:
Through
the vigorous prosecution of unlawful discriminatory practices;
Through
the receipt, investigation, and resolution of complaints of discrimination;
Through
the creation of studies, programs, and campaigns designed to, among other
things, inform and educate the public on
the effects of discrimination and the rights and obligations under the law;
and
Through
the development of human rights policies and proposed legislation for the State.