N.J. Stat. Ann. § 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-2
Police power, enactment deemed exercise of
Operative Text
The enactment hereof shall be deemed an exercise of the police power of the State for the protection of the public safety, health and morals and to promote the general welfare and in fulfillment of the provisions of the Constitution of this State guaranteeing civil rights. L.1945, c. 169, p. 589, s. 2.
Section 10:5-2 of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq.) establishes the constitutional and legislative foundation for the entire statute by declaring it an exercise of the state's police power. This framing means the law is grounded in the state's authority to protect public safety, health, morals, and general welfare, as well as the civil rights guarantees in the New Jersey Constitution. The provision does not itself create specific rights or duties but provides the legal basis upon which the rest of the statute rests.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in New Jersey should understand that N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-2 anchors the Law Against Discrimination in the state's broadest governmental authority, signaling that the legislature treated anti-discrimination obligations as a matter of fundamental public policy. This foundational declaration has been used by courts to interpret the statute broadly and to resist narrow readings of its protections. Operators who maintain compliance programs generally do so with an awareness that the law carries this strong constitutional weight.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-2 signals that New Jersey's anti-discrimination protections in housing are rooted in the state's constitutional commitment to civil rights, not merely a policy preference. This foundational provision has historically supported broad judicial interpretation of tenant protections under the Law Against Discrimination. Tenants who believe their rights under this statute have been violated may consider contacting the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights or a local tenant-rights organization to learn about available complaint processes.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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