“Know Your Rights” Part 3: Public Accommodations – Program Recap

Published March 18, 2026

New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination protects NJ citizens in a variety of settings, including employment, housing and public accommodation.

New Jersey is a leading state when it comes to protecting against discrimination, going further than the American Disabilities Act.

Thank you to Stephanie Menezile and Angela Campos from the NJ Division on Civil Rights for an overview of New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination, particularly the rights we have related to places of public accommodation.

These efforts are designed to protect individuals not only from harassment and unfair treatment, but also from retaliation for filing complaints or attempting to receive lawful accommodations. The law is expansive, so let’s take a closer look specifically at places of public accommodation.

Protected Categories

The NJ Law Against Discrimination defines a variety of protected categories that help build a framework for determining cases of discrimination:

A person can meet or be perceived to meet any of these categories to be considered a victim of discrimination.

Disability

The NJ Law Against Discrimination (LAD) broadly defines what constitutes a “disability”. Someone suffering from any of the following conditions, is considered disabled according to the NJ LAD:

A person can qualify as disabled if they experience any of the above conditions whether permanently, temporarily, or in a minor capacity. The law does not require a condition to significantly limit one or more major life activities. It is against the law to discriminate or harass someone based on their actual or perceived disability.

LAD and Places of Public Accommodation

The NJ Law Against Discrimination does not just apply to the workplace or housing, but also places of public accommodation. According to the law, places of public accommodation are generally places that offer goods, services, or facilities to the public, including:

Places of public accommodation must make reasonable accommodations when requested by an individual with a disability, unless that accommodation would cause undue hardship on the place, which they must prove. Requests for a reasonable accommodation can be verbal or written; if a verbal accommodation is denied, it is best to submit a written request for accommodation and request the reasons for denial should you expect that discrimination is occurring.

One of the most common issues regarding reasonable accommodations in places of public accommodation is related to “no pet/animal” policies. Emotional support animals are not considered a reasonable accommodation, but service animals are automatically exempt from no-pet policies. Service animals are considered a medical tool that is trained to perform work or specific tasks associated with its owner’s disability. When requesting an accommodation for a service animal, staff of a place of public accommodation cannot ask about the individual’s specific disability, but can ask what specific function the service animal performs.

Individuals also have protections in the NJ LAD from harassment at places of public accommodation, whether by employees or other individuals receiving goods or services at that place. Employers must take reasonable steps to stop harassment that creates a hostile environment, including:

• Monitoring and preventing
• A reporting process
• Policies
• Trainings

It is also illegal for owners of places of public accommodation to retaliate against someone for filing a complaint with the NJ Division on Civil Rights. In fact, everyone has the right to report bias-based harassment to employees/owners of places of public accommodation, file a complaint with the NJ Division on Civil Rights, and cooperate in an investigation.

Filing a Complaint

If you or someone you know is the victim of actual or suspected harassment, you can file a complaint through NJBIAS, the NJ Division on Civil Rights online reporting tool. You can also inquire as to your rights by contacting the NJ Division on Civil Rights at 609-984-5828 or filling out their online contact form at https://www.njoag.gov/contact/office-of-constituent-services/.

More Information

Please review the following fact sheets for more information:

• New Jersey Law on Discrimination (PDF)
• Understanding Your Housing Protections (PDF)

You can also find more fact sheets specifically related to places of public accommodation at https://www.njoag.gov/about/divisions-and-offices/division-on-civil-rights-home/dcr-resources/fact-sheets-and-reports/.

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