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Bill > A605
NJ A605
NJ A605Codifies protections in Law Against Discrimination for persons suffering discrimination on grounds of disparate impact.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill would amend the "Law Against Discrimination," P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et seq.) (the "LAD") to codify case law providing that the LAD protects those plaintiffs suffering discrimination on grounds of "disparate impact." Pursuant to the case law, the LAD protects two kinds of plaintiffs who are members of a protected class (such as race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender identity or expression, affectional or sexual orientation, marital status, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, disability or nationality, among others): those plaintiffs who suffer disparate treatment because of their membership in the protected class, and those who suffer from the disparate impact of a facially neutral policy that in fact falls more harshly on them because of their membership in the protected class. See
AI Summary
This bill would amend the "Law Against Discrimination" (LAD), a New Jersey law that prohibits discrimination, to officially include protections against "disparate impact." Disparate impact refers to situations where a policy or practice that appears neutral on its face, meaning it doesn't explicitly target any protected group, ends up unfairly affecting members of a protected class more severely. Protected classes include groups based on race, religion, sex, disability, and other characteristics. Currently, case law already recognizes this protection, but this bill aims to codify it into the law itself, ensuring that individuals who experience discrimination not just through direct unfair treatment (disparate treatment) but also through the unintended negative consequences of neutral policies on protected groups, have legal recourse. This clarification is intended to make it clear that remedies, including damages, are available to all individuals protected by the LAD, regardless of whether the discrimination is intentional or the result of a facially neutral policy.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A605 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A1000/605_I1.HTM |
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