Cal. Civ. Code § 291
Equality of opportunity a civil right
Operative Text
§ 291. Equality of opportunity a civil right. 1. The opportunity to obtain employment without discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, sex, marital status, or disability, is hereby recognized as and declared to be a civil right. 2. The opportunity to obtain education, the use of places of public accommodation and the ownership, use and occupancy of housing accommodations and commercial space without discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, sex, marital status, or disability, as specified in section two hundred ninety-six of this article, is hereby recognized as and declared to be a civil right. 3. The opportunity to obtain medical treatment of an infant prematurely born alive in the course of an abortion shall be the same as the rights of an infant born spontaneously.
New York Executive Law § 291 formally establishes that freedom from discrimination in housing, employment, education, and public accommodations is a civil right under state law. The provision covers a broad range of protected characteristics, including race, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and several others. By declaring these opportunities to be civil rights, the statute signals that violations are not merely private wrongs but offenses against a recognized public interest.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.Y. Exec. Law § 291, the state's civil-rights framework applies directly to how housing accommodations and commercial space are owned, used, and made available to others. Operators who comply with this provision generally ensure that their tenant-selection criteria, lease terms, and day-to-day management practices do not treat applicants or residents differently based on any of the characteristics the statute protects. Familiarity with § 291 alongside the specific prohibited practices listed in § 296 helps property owners understand the full scope of their obligations under New York's Human Rights Law.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.Y. Exec. Law § 291 declares that access to housing without discrimination is a civil right in New York, giving tenants a foundational legal basis when they believe they have been treated unfairly because of a protected characteristic. Tenants who experience what they believe to be discriminatory conduct in connection with housing may have the option of filing a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights, raising the issue before a local human-rights agency, or consulting a tenant-rights organization for guidance on available paths. Because § 291 works in tandem with the specific prohibitions set out in § 296, understanding both provisions together can help a tenant assess what protections may apply to their situation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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