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Legal Enforcement Guidance

The Commission has released Legal Enforcement Guidance on certain protections under the Human Rights Law, accessible via the links below. Please note that portions of the guidance will be subject to future rulemaking pursuant to the City Administrative Procedure Act, N.Y. City Charter § 1041 et seq.

Age Discrimination Legal Enforcement Guidance

Immigration Status and National Origin Legal Enforcement Guidance

Guidance on discrimination based on actual or perceived immigration status and national origin in employment, housing, and public accommodations under the NYC Human Rights Law.

Race Discrimination on the Basis of Hair Legal Enforcement Guidance

Guidance on appearance and grooming policies that ban natural hair or hairstyle - policies that disproportionately impact Black New Yorkers and are unlawful discriminatory treatment under the NYC Human Rights Law.

Disability Legal Enforcement Guidance

Guidance on discrimination against people with disabilities, including clarification on discriminatory policies and practices, best practices on how to assess and provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities, and examples of reasonable accommodations.

Gender Identity/Gender Expression Legal Enforcement Guidance

Guidance on gender identity and gender expression protections provides explicit examples to employers, landlords, business owners, and the general public on what the City considers to be discrimination under the law.

Legal Enforcement Guidance on Employment Protections Based on Criminal History

Guidance on discrimination against job applicants and employees with a criminal history, including clarification of the Fair Chance Process, best practices for employers, and an explanation of exemptions under the law.

SCDEA Legal Enforcement Guidance

Under the Stop Credit Discrimination in Employment Act (SCDEA), most employers in New York City are prohibited from checking applicants' credit history to make employment decisions.

Legal Enforcement Guidance on Discrimination on the Basis of Pregnancy, Childbirth, Related Medical Conditions, Lactation Accommodations, and Sexual or Reproductive Health Decisions

Guidance on pregnancy protections provides explicit examples on what the City considers to be discrimination under the law.