N.J. Stat. Ann. § 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-14.1a
Penalties; disposition
Operative Text
2. Any person who violates any of the provisions of the "Law Against Discrimination," P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et seq.), shall, in addition to any other relief or affirmative action provided by law, be liable for the following penalties: a. In an amount not exceeding $10,000 if the respondent has not been adjudged to have committed any prior violation within the five-year period ending on the date of the filing of this charge; b. In an amount not exceeding $25,000 if the respondent has been adjudged to have committed one other violation within the five-year period ending on the date of the filing of this charge; and c. In an amount not exceeding $50,000 if the respondent has been adjudged to have committed two or more violations within the seven-year period ending on the date of the filing of this charge. The penalties shall be determined by the director in such amounts as the director deems proper under the circumstances and included in an order following a finding of an unlawful discrimination or an unlawful employment practice pursuant to section 16 of P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-17) or determined by the court in cases brought under subsection b. of section 9 of P.L.2019, c.436 (C.10:5-8.2). Any such amounts collected by the director shall be paid forthwith into the State Treasury for the general purposes of the State. L.1983, c.412, s.2; amended 2001, c.254; 2019, c.436, s.7.
Under N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-14.1a, New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination establishes a tiered civil penalty structure for anyone found to have committed an unlawful discriminatory act. A first-time violator within a five-year lookback period may face penalties up to $10,000, a respondent with one prior adjudicated violation within five years may face up to $25,000, and a respondent with two or more prior violations within seven years may face up to $50,000. These penalties are set by the Division on Civil Rights director or by a court, and any amounts collected are deposited into the State Treasury.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in New Jersey should be aware that N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-14.1a imposes escalating civil penalties on top of any other remedies when a violation of the Law Against Discrimination is established. Compliant operators generally maintain consistent, documented non-discriminatory policies in tenant screening, leasing, and property management to avoid adjudicated findings that could trigger higher penalty tiers in any future proceeding. A prior adjudicated violation on record can significantly increase the maximum civil penalty exposure in a subsequent case.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-14.1a provides that individuals who experience housing discrimination in violation of New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination may be entitled to civil penalties assessed against the violating party, in addition to other relief. Tenants who believe they have experienced unlawful discrimination can file a complaint with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, which has authority to investigate and, upon a finding of violation, order penalties and other remedies. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help individuals understand the complaint process and available options 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 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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