Laws, Policies, and Regulatory Agencies

There are state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination. The following resources will help you learn more about relevant laws and policies.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

Equal Employment Opportunity Rights and Responsibilities Handbook
No decision affecting hiring, promotion, firing, or a term, condition or privilege of employment shall discriminate on the basis of a person's gender identity, nor shall employees be harassed or otherwise discriminated against on such basis or perceived basis.

New York State Discrimination Complaint Form
If you feel you have been discriminated against, please file a discrimination complaint form with the Anti-Discrimination Investigations Division.

Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (Chapter 8 of the Laws of 2019)
GENDA prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or expression; defines "gender identity or expression" as having or being perceived as having a gender identity, self image, appearance, behavior or expression whether or not that gender identity, self image, appearance, behavior or expression is different from that traditionally associated with the sex assigned to that person at birth; further includes offenses regarding gender identity or expression within the list of offenses subject to treatment as hate crimes.

Applies to all employers in New York State, including all State agencies and employees, and provides very broad anti-discrimination coverage. The New York State Human Rights Law provides, in § 296.1(a), that it is an unlawful discriminatory practice "[f]or an employer or licensing agency, because of the age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, marital status or domestic violence victim status of any individual, to refuse to hire or employ or to bar or to discharge from employment such individual or to discriminate against such individual in compensation or in terms, conditions or privileges of employment."
New York State Division of Human Rights (DHR) Guidance:
- Guidance on Protections From Gender Identity Discrimination Under New York State Human Rights Law
- Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) & the NYS Human Rights Law

Employment
Apprenticeship and training
Purchase and rental of housing and commercial space
Places of public accommodation
Education by public schools, colleges and universities, and non-sectarian, tax-exempt educational institutions
All credit transactions