N.J. Stat. Ann. § 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-3

3. The Legislature finds and declares that practices of discrimination against any of its inhabitants, because of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender identity or expression, affectional or sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, service in the Armed Forces of the United States or liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, disability, nationality, or source of lawful income used for rental or mortgage payments, are matters of concern to the government of the State, and that such discrimination threatens not only the rights and proper privileges of the inhabitants of the State but menaces the institutions and foundation of a free democratic State; provided, however, that nothing in this expression of policy prevents the making of legitimate distinctions between citizens and aliens when required by federal law or otherwise necessary to promote the national interest.

The Legislature further declares its opposition to such practices of discrimination when directed against any person by reason of the race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender identity or expression, affectional or sexual orientation, marital status, service in the Armed Forces of the United States or liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, disability, nationality, or source of lawful income used for rental or mortgage payments of that person or that person's family members, partners, members, stockholders, directors, officers, managers, superintendents, agents, employees, business associates, suppliers, or customers, in order that the economic prosperity and general welfare of the inhabitants of the State may be protected and ensured.

The Legislature further finds that because of discrimination, people suffer personal hardships, and the State suffers a grievous harm. The personal hardships include: economic loss; time loss; physical and emotional stress; and in some cases severe emotional trauma, illness, homelessness, or other irreparable harm resulting from the strain of employment controversies; relocation, search, and moving difficulties; anxiety caused by lack of information, uncertainty, and resultant planning difficulty; career, education, family, and social disruption; and adjustment problems, which particularly impact those protected by this act. Such harms have, under the common law, given rise to legal remedies, including compensatory and punitive damages. The Legislature intends that such damages be available to all persons protected by this act and that this act shall be liberally construed in combination with other protections available under the laws of this State.

L.1945, c.169, s.3; amended 1951, c.64, s.2; 1962, c.37, s.2; 1970, c.80, s.8; 1977, c.96, s.1; 1990, c.12, s.1; 1991, c.519, s.1; 1992, c.146, s.1; 2003, c.180, s.3; 2006, c.100, s.2; 2019, c.436, s.1; 2025, c.251, s.1; 2025, c.307, s.1.