The Senate Labor Committee in New Jersey has taken a significant step in the advancement of civil rights law with the passage of a bill sponsored by Senator Andrew Zwicker. This legislation, known as S-1602, aims to combat discrimination based on height and weight.
Senator Zwicker, representing Middlesex, Mercer, Somerset, and Hunterdon, highlighted the widespread impact of height and weight discrimination, affecting both adults and children. He pointed out that this form of bias extends beyond societal norms and necessitates legal protection.
Under the proposed bill, height and weight would join the list of protected characteristics under New Jersey’s civil rights law. The current law already covers a range of attributes, including race, creed, color, sexual orientation, familial status, disability, military service liability, nationality, sex, gender identity or expression, and lawful income sources for housing payments.
Senator Zwicker’s bill is modeled after Michigan’s civil rights law, which already includes protections against discrimination based on height and weight. These protections apply in various sectors, including employment, housing, public accommodations, and public services. However, the bill does acknowledge exceptions where height and weight might be considered bona fide occupational qualifications or necessary for safety in public administration.
The committee’s decision to release the bill, with a vote of 3-0, marks a progressive move towards broadening the scope of anti-discrimination laws in New Jersey, ensuring more inclusive protections for its residents.