SENATOR GILL COMMITTED TO ENDING HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION

MONTCLAIR – The number of bias incidents reported last year in NJ was the highest
annual number of bias incidents ever reported in our state. Last year bias incidents
increased against Asian American’s 87%, against LGBTQ+ people by 67%, and
antisemitic incidents rose 25%.

As one of the most diverse states in the nation, we must do better.
I have introduced three bills intended to increase the protections afforded to victims
of harassment and discrimination in employment, public accommodations, housing,
political campaigns, and state workplaces.

These bills will make New Jersey a nationwide leader in combating hate and
discrimination. The package of bills includes:

• S-2544: Concerns unlawful discrimination and harassment. Expands the protections
of the Law Against Discrimination to include domestic workers, independent
contractors, temporary workers, trainees, and interns. In doing so it will amend the
Law Against Discrimination to prohibit harassment in employment, housing, and public
accommodations and include protections to fight age discrimination.

• S-2559: Codifies State Workplace Anti-Harassment and Discrimination Policy.
Expands who may file a harassment complaint to include employees, interns,
volunteers, and members of any state agency or gubernatorial transition office, or
person doing business with the state.

• S-2545: Requires adoption of and training on anti-discrimination and anti-harassment
policy by certain campaign committees; creates Office on Discrimination and
Harassment Prevention. Will require state, county, and local campaigns and political

party organizations to adopt anti-harassment policies covering behavior, provide anti-
harassment training and designate a campaign official to receive confidential complaints

No matter where we work, or who we are, each one of us has the right to safety and
dignity in the workplace. These bills are a crucial step toward guaranteeing that right for
all New Jerseyians.