N.J. Stat. Ann. § 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-14.3
Delegation of powers by Attorney General; review of findings and conclusions
Operative Text
Upon a finding that the public interest may be better served thereby, the Attorney General may delegate to such county or municipal office of civil rights the power to investigate complaints and conduct conciliation conferences, in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of P.L.1945, c. 169 (C. 10:5-14), and to proceed in a summary manner in accordance with the provisions of section 6 of P.L.1966, c. 17 (C. 10:5-14.1). In addition, the Attorney General may delegate to such county or municipal office of civil rights the power to conduct hearings and in connection therewith, the power to subpena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony and conduct discovery procedures including the taking of interrogatories and oral depositions. The findings and conclusions of a county or municipal office resulting from an exercise of the foregoing powers shall not constitute a final administrative decision, but shall be submitted to the Director of the Division on Civil Rights who may rely and act thereupon in accordance with the provisions of section 16 of P.L.1945, c. 169 (C. 10:5-17). The Attorney General shall establish rules of practice to govern, expedite and effectuate the utilization of the foregoing powers by such county or municipal office. L.1977, c. 121, s. 2, eff. June 6, 1977. Amended by L.1980, c. 87, s. 2, eff. Aug. 21, 1980.
Under N.J.S.A. 10:5-14.3, the New Jersey Attorney General has the authority to delegate certain civil rights enforcement functions — such as investigating complaints, holding conciliation conferences, conducting hearings, and using subpoena power — to county or municipal offices of civil rights. However, any findings or conclusions reached by those local offices do not stand as final administrative decisions on their own; they must be forwarded to the Director of the Division on Civil Rights for final action. The Attorney General is also required to establish rules of practice to govern how these delegated powers are used at the local level.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination should be aware that under N.J.S.A. 10:5-14.3, a complaint filed against them may be investigated and heard not only by the state Division on Civil Rights, but also by a county or municipal office of civil rights acting under delegated authority. A compliant operator generally cooperates with any such local office's investigative process, including responding to subpoenas, providing testimony, and participating in conciliation conferences. Because local findings are reviewed by the Director of the Division on Civil Rights before becoming final, the process may involve multiple levels of review.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants who believe they have experienced housing discrimination in New Jersey should know that N.J.S.A. 10:5-14.3 allows the Attorney General to empower local county or municipal civil rights offices to receive and investigate complaints on the state's behalf. This means a complaint may be handled closer to home, through a local office with authority to hold hearings and conduct discovery, though the final decision rests with the Director of the Division on Civil Rights. Tenants exploring their options may consider contacting the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights directly or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization to understand which office is best positioned to receive a complaint.
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 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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