The New York City Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) works every day to implement the city’s Human Rights Law through enforcement, education, and outreach.

The NYCHRL prohibits discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on race, color, creed, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, gender (including gender identity and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, marital status, height, weight and partnership status. Additional employment protections prohibit discrimination based on credit history, unemployment status, arrest or conviction record and status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offences. Additional housing protections prohibit discrimination based on lawful occupation, family status, and any lawful source of income (including housing subsidies). Retaliation, discriminatory harassment, and bias-based harassment, (including cyber bullying), are also prohibited under the law, in addition to profiling by law enforcement.

Through training, education, and policy initiatives, the Commission aims to root out discrimination. The Commission proactively identifies patterns of discrimination through testing employers, housing providers, and providers of public accommodation. The Commission also uses investigations, litigation, and other enforcement tools to address allegations of discrimination.