Suffolk County’s law (Local Law NO. 51-2006) is similar to Nassau County’s Human Rights Law which also took effect on January 1st. Suffolk County now has a Human Rights Commission which will receive complaints of discrimination in the housing area, and can on its own initiative, file a complaint alleging that a person has committed an unlawful discriminatory practice. If it is determined that there is probable cause in the claim of any unlawful discriminatory practice in the sale, lease, or rental of real property the complainant may apply in court for an injunction to stop the action immediately.

Unlawful discriminatory practices include: to refuse to sell, rent or lease any housing accommodations, including publicly assisted housing accommodations and commercial space, to any person because of the actual or perceived protected basis of such person, or to represent that any housing accommodation is not available for inspection, sale, rental or lease when in fact it is available. Protected classes in the law include: race, creed, color, sex, disability, religion, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation, age, gender, or national origin. Whether the prejudice is due to actual or perceived differences for these protected classes is now irrelevant under the law.

Reasonable accommodations must now be made to persons who have a disability to afford them an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling. This includes the widening of doors to allow for the passage of handicapped persons in wheelchairs. This expense will be paid for by the disabled person.

The Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission can refer cases to an administrative law judge (ALJ) for a hearing or to The New York State Division of Human Rights. At the time of the hearing before the ALJ, the Human Rights Commission presents the case on behalf of the complainant, and the ALJ has discretion to allow any person who has a substantial interest in the complaint to intervene as a party.

The Commission has authority to impose civil penalties including: punitive damages up to $10,000 to the person harmed by the discriminatory practice, civil fines and penalties not to exceed $50,000 to be paid to the county general fund by a respondent found to have committed an unlawful discriminatory act, and payment not to exceed $100,000 where a respondent commits an unlawful discriminatory act which is found to be "willful, wanton, or malicious."

If you are a REALTOR® doing business in Suffolk County please be aware and take notice of this new law- Suffolk County will be closely monitoring any alleged acts of discrimination dealing with fair housing. LIBOR’S Government Affairs Department will keep you updated with any changes to the Human Rights Law.

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The Long Island Board of REALTORS®, Inc. (LIBOR) is a non-profit trade association consisting of more than 19,000 professional Realtors®. For more information about LIBOR or how to locate a Realtor® in your area, visit our web site at: www.mlsli.com™.

Suffolk County’s law (Local Law NO. 51-2006) is similar to Nassau County’s Human Rights Law which also took effect on January 1st. Suffolk County now has a Human Rights Commission which will receive complaints of discrimination in the housing area, and can on its own initiative, file a complaint alleging that a person has committed an unlawful discriminatory practice. If it is determined that there is probable cause in the claim of any unlawful discriminatory practice in the sale, lease, or rental of real property the complainant may apply in court for an injunction to stop the action immediately.

Unlawful discriminatory practices include: to refuse to sell, rent or lease any housing accommodations, including publicly assisted housing accommodations and commercial space, to any person because of the actual or perceived protected basis of such person, or to represent that any housing accommodation is not available for inspection, sale, rental or lease when in fact it is available. Protected classes in the law include: race, creed, color, sex, disability, religion, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation, age, gender, or national origin. Whether the prejudice is due to actual or perceived differences for these protected classes is now irrelevant under the law.

Reasonable accommodations must now be made to persons who have a disability to afford them an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling. This includes the widening of doors to allow for the passage of handicapped persons in wheelchairs. This expense will be paid for by the disabled person.

The Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission can refer cases to an administrative law judge (ALJ) for a hearing or to The New York State Division of Human Rights. At the time of the hearing before the ALJ, the Human Rights Commission presents the case on behalf of the complainant, and the ALJ has discretion to allow any person who has a substantial interest in the complaint to intervene as a party.

The Commission has authority to impose civil penalties including: punitive damages up to $10,000 to the person harmed by the discriminatory practice, civil fines and penalties not to exceed $50,000 to be paid to the county general fund by a respondent found to have committed an unlawful discriminatory act, and payment not to exceed $100,000 where a respondent commits an unlawful discriminatory act which is found to be "willful, wanton, or malicious."

If you are a REALTOR® doing business in Suffolk County please be aware and take notice of this new law- Suffolk County will be closely monitoring any alleged acts of discrimination dealing with fair housing. LIBOR’S Government Affairs Department will keep you updated with any changes to the Human Rights Law.

###

The Long Island Board of REALTORS®, Inc. (LIBOR) is a non-profit trade association consisting of more than 19,000 professional Realtors®. For more information about LIBOR or how to locate a Realtor® in your area, visit our web site at: www.mlsli.com™.

Suffolk County’s law (Local Law NO. 51-2006) is similar to Nassau County’s Human Rights Law which also took effect on January 1st. Suffolk County now has a Human Rights Commission which will receive complaints of discrimination in the housing area, and can on its own initiative, file a complaint alleging that a person has committed an unlawful discriminatory practice. If it is determined that there is probable cause in the claim of any unlawful discriminatory practice in the sale, lease, or rental of real property the complainant may apply in court for an injunction to stop the action immediately.

Unlawful discriminatory practices include: to refuse to sell, rent or lease any housing accommodations, including publicly assisted housing accommodations and commercial space, to any person because of the actual or perceived protected basis of such person, or to represent that any housing accommodation is not available for inspection, sale, rental or lease when in fact it is available. Protected classes in the law include: race, creed, color, sex, disability, religion, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation, age, gender, or national origin. Whether the prejudice is due to actual or perceived differences for these protected classes is now irrelevant under the law.

Reasonable accommodations must now be made to persons who have a disability to afford them an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling. This includes the widening of doors to allow for the passage of handicapped persons in wheelchairs. This expense will be paid for by the disabled person.

The Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission can refer cases to an administrative law judge (ALJ) for a hearing or to The New York State Division of Human Rights. At the time of the hearing before the ALJ, the Human Rights Commission presents the case on behalf of the complainant, and the ALJ has discretion to allow any person who has a substantial interest in the complaint to intervene as a party.

The Commission has authority to impose civil penalties including: punitive damages up to $10,000 to the person harmed by the discriminatory practice, civil fines and penalties not to exceed $50,000 to be paid to the county general fund by a respondent found to have committed an unlawful discriminatory act, and payment not to exceed $100,000 where a respondent commits an unlawful discriminatory act which is found to be "willful, wanton, or malicious."

If you are a REALTOR® doing business in Suffolk County please be aware and take notice of this new law- Suffolk County will be closely monitoring any alleged acts of discrimination dealing with fair housing. LIBOR’S Government Affairs Department will keep you updated with any changes to the Human Rights Law.

###

The Long Island Board of REALTORS®, Inc. (LIBOR) is a non-profit trade association consisting of more than 19,000 professional Realtors®. For more information about LIBOR or how to locate a Realtor® in your area, visit our web site at: www.mlsli.com™.

Suffolk County’s law (Local Law NO. 51-2006) is similar to Nassau County’s Human Rights Law which also took effect on January 1st. Suffolk County now has a Human Rights Commission which will receive complaints of discrimination in the housing area, and can on its own initiative, file a complaint alleging that a person has committed an unlawful discriminatory practice. If it is determined that there is probable cause in the claim of any unlawful discriminatory practice in the sale, lease, or rental of real property the complainant may apply in court for an injunction to stop the action immediately.

Unlawful discriminatory practices include: to refuse to sell, rent or lease any housing accommodations, including publicly assisted housing accommodations and commercial space, to any person because of the actual or perceived protected basis of such person, or to represent that any housing accommodation is not available for inspection, sale, rental or lease when in fact it is available. Protected classes in the law include: race, creed, color, sex, disability, religion, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation, age, gender, or national origin. Whether the prejudice is due to actual or perceived differences for these protected classes is now irrelevant under the law.

Reasonable accommodations must now be made to persons who have a disability to afford them an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling. This includes the widening of doors to allow for the passage of handicapped persons in wheelchairs. This expense will be paid for by the disabled person.

The Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission can refer cases to an administrative law judge (ALJ) for a hearing or to The New York State Division of Human Rights. At the time of the hearing before the ALJ, the Human Rights Commission presents the case on behalf of the complainant, and the ALJ has discretion to allow any person who has a substantial interest in the complaint to intervene as a party.

The Commission has authority to impose civil penalties including: punitive damages up to $10,000 to the person harmed by the discriminatory practice, civil fines and penalties not to exceed $50,000 to be paid to the county general fund by a respondent found to have committed an unlawful discriminatory act, and payment not to exceed $100,000 where a respondent commits an unlawful discriminatory act which is found to be "willful, wanton, or malicious."

If you are a REALTOR® doing business in Suffolk County please be aware and take notice of this new law- Suffolk County will be closely monitoring any alleged acts of discrimination dealing with fair housing. LIBOR’S Government Affairs Department will keep you updated with any changes to the Human Rights Law.

###

The Long Island Board of REALTORS®, Inc. (LIBOR) is a non-profit trade association consisting of more than 19,000 professional Realtors®. For more information about LIBOR or how to locate a Realtor® in your area, visit our web site at: www.mlsli.com™.