Attorney General says new enforcement section will investigate discrimination complaints in schools and public accommodations
TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey is expanding its efforts to protect students from discrimination with the creation of a new state enforcement unit dedicated to investigating civil rights complaints in schools and other public settings, Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division on Civil Rights announced Thursday.
The new Education and Public Accommodations Enforcement Section will operate within the Division on Civil Rights’ Investigations Unit and will focus on enforcing the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) in K-12 schools, colleges, universities and other places of public accommodation.
State officials said the move increases New Jersey’s capacity to investigate allegations involving bias-based harassment and bullying, discrimination, physical disability accommodations, language-access barriers affecting English language learners and disparate school discipline.
The announcement also includes a new partnership with the National Center for Youth Law, which will develop training programs designed to strengthen the state’s ability to identify, investigate and remedy civil rights violations involving children and schools.
Attorney General Davenport said the new section was created as federal enforcement of student civil rights has declined.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has closed seven of its 12 regional offices since January 2025, including the office responsible for New Jersey. The state also cited federal data showing the Office for Civil Rights received 9,269 complaints between March and September 2025 and dismissed more than 90% without review.
“We created the Education and Public Accommodations Enforcement Section because we must step up our efforts to protect our kids from discrimination,” Davenport said in announcing the initiative.
The new section will be led by Deputy Director Michael Campion, Chief Legal Specialist Chiqueena Lee and Chief of Investigations Justin Hoffer, who will oversee a team of legal specialists and investigators handling alleged violations of the Law Against Discrimination.
Officials said the section will focus on discrimination cases covered under the LAD. Matters involving school curriculum or Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) will continue to be handled by the New Jersey Department of Education.
Division on Civil Rights Director Yolanda N. Melville said the new unit is intended to strengthen enforcement of equal access to education throughout the state.
The National Center for Youth Law said its team, which includes former officials from the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education, will help develop comprehensive training for investigators and legal staff.
State officials also highlighted recent enforcement efforts by the Division on Civil Rights, including a finding of probable cause issued earlier this year involving Ridgewood Public Schools. The finding alleged a teacher discriminated against and harassed a 4-year-old student with Down syndrome and sensory issues. The Division emphasized that a finding of probable cause is not a final determination and that the matter will proceed through the state’s administrative process unless resolved through conciliation.
The Division on Civil Rights enforces the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, the New Jersey Family Leave Act and the Fair Chance in Housing Act.
Key Points
- New Jersey created an Education and Public Accommodations Enforcement Section within the Division on Civil Rights.
- The unit will investigate discrimination complaints involving schools and other public accommodations under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination.
- The state also announced a partnership with the National Center for Youth Law to provide specialized training for investigators and legal staff.
