NY Adds “Citizenship or Immigration Status” to List of Protected Classes

New York recently enacted Assembly Bill A6328A, which adds provisions to prohibit discrimination based on citizenship or immigration status.  This is applicable for purposes of housing and the extension of credit.  The new provisions take effect immediately.

The Bill defines “citizenship or immigration status” to mean the citizenship of any person or the immigration status of any person who is not a citizen of the United States.  The addition of this protected class of citizens applies towards, among other things, the sale, rental, or leasing of housing.  This Bill also prohibits discrimination based on citizenship or immigration status for the extension of credit. 

It should be noted that this change does not prohibit the verification of citizenship or immigration status where required by law.