D.C. Code tit. 2, ch. 14 § 2-1402.68
Effects clause.
Operative Text
Any practice which has the effect or consequence of violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed to be an unlawful discriminatory practice.
D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1402.68 establishes an 'effects clause,' meaning that a practice does not have to be intentionally discriminatory to be unlawful — if its effect or consequence results in a violation of the District's Human Rights Act, it is treated as an unlawful discriminatory practice. This provision extends anti-discrimination protections beyond deliberate acts to include neutral-seeming policies or procedures that produce discriminatory outcomes. The rule applies broadly across the areas covered by the chapter, such as housing, employment, and public accommodations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1402.68, property owners and managers operating in the District generally review not only their stated policies but also the real-world outcomes of those policies to ensure they do not produce discriminatory effects. A compliant operator typically examines tenant screening criteria, application procedures, and other practices to assess whether they disproportionately burden protected classes, even when no discriminatory intent is present. Staying informed about how the effects clause has been interpreted by the D.C. Office of Human Rights can help operators understand the scope of their obligations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1402.68 means that tenants in the District may have grounds to challenge a landlord's policy or practice that produces a discriminatory outcome, even if the landlord did not intend to discriminate. Tenants who believe a housing practice has harmed them because of a protected characteristic may consider filing a complaint with the D.C. Office of Human Rights or raising the effects clause as a basis for their claim. Consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with D.C. human rights law can help clarify what options may be available under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation