What protections do civil rights laws provide?

Civil rights laws provide people living in California with protection from discrimination based on certain characteristics, such as race, gender, national origin, age, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. These laws ensure residents of California are treated equally and fairly in the workplace, at school, when applying for housing, and in other settings. The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) is the primary civil rights law in the state that prohibits discriminatory practices and harassment. In many cases, a person who experiences discrimination may file a complaint with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), an agency that enforces the state’s anti-discrimination laws. The California Unruh Civil Rights Act and Disabled Persons Act are other important civil rights laws in the state. The Unruh Act prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment in business establishments, while the Disabled Persons Act applies to buildings and other public places that must be accessible to people with disabilities. Civil rights laws also protect individuals from hate crimes, which occur when someone is attacked because of their race, gender, nationality, disability, or other protected characteristics. California has a separate law, the Ralph Civil Rights Act, which makes it illegal to threaten, injure, or intimidate another person because of their protected status. The law provides victims of hate crimes the right to sue their attackers, as well as anyone who was complicit in the crime. Civil rights laws play an important role in ensuring that everyone living in California is treated fairly, regardless of their background or identity. These laws protect individuals from discrimination and harassment, and provide a legal recourse for victims of hate crimes.

What protections do civil rights laws provide?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts