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Summary of Federal and State Laws

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, prohibits discrimination based on age in all aspects of employment against persons at least age 40.

Age Discrimination Act of 1975

Age Discrimination Act of 1975, prohibits discrimination on the basis of age in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance.

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, housing, public accommodation, education, transportation, communication, recreation, institutionalization, health services, voting, and access to public services.

Equal Pay Act

Equal Pay Act, prohibits sex-based wage discrimination between men and women in the same establishment who are performing under similar working conditions.

Executive Order 11246

Executive Order 11246, as amended, is a federal executive order applicable to federal government contractors, which prohibits job discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin and it requires affirmative action programs for minorities and women to ensure equal opportunity.

New York State Human Rights Law

New York State Human Rights Law, prohibits employers and licensing agencies from unlawful discriminatory practices because of the age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, disability, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or marital 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.

The NYS Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination for education, the use of places of public accommodation and the ownership, use and occupancy of housing accommodations and commercial space because of race, color, religion, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, age, or marital status. Also prohibits discrimination on the basis of ex-offender status.

NYS Executive Order No. 19

NYS Executive Order No. 19, requires State agencies to prohibit sexual harassment in the workplace.

Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 503, requires employers to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities.

Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972

Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex or blindness under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, Section 402

Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, Section 402, as amended, prohibits job discrimination and requires affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified Vietnam Era Veterans and qualified special disabled veterans.

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