New Jersey § 10:5-3

§ 10:5-3.

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, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, disability

or nationality, 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, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, disability

or nationality 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 on 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.