Senate Passes Singleton Bill to Expand LAD to Rental of Certain Housing

Trenton – Legislation sponsored by Senator Troy Singleton, which would expand provisions of the Law Against Discrimination (LAD) to the rental of certain non-publicly assisted housing accommodations, passed the Senate today.

New Jersey’s civil rights laws are expansive, but we must do better,” said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington). “Expanding the provisions of the Law Against Discrimination to cover the rental of all dwelling units will ensure that renters have fair access to affordable housing and that their rights are protected.”

The bill, S-3538, would expand LAD to apply to certain non-publicly assisted housing accommodations. The bill would remove the exemption language so that the provisions of LAD apply to the rental of all types of dwelling units.

Currently, the provisions of the LAD do not apply to the rental of a single apartment in a two family-dwelling unit where the owner occupies the other unit and a room in a one-family dwelling unit if the owner or owner’s family also occupies the unit

The bill was released from the Senate by a vote of 21-8.