Alerts

Recent Amendment Extends Protection Under New York City's Human Rights Law

October 27, 2005

Earlier this month, Mayor Bloomberg signed the Local Civil Rights Restoration Act of 2005 (the "LCRRA") into law, amending the New York City Human Rights Law ("NYCHRL").

The LCRRA adds "partnership status" to the list of classes protected under the NYCHRL. The amendment defines "partnership status" to mean the status of being in a domestic partnership under the New York City Administrative Code (the "Code"). The Code, in turn, considers a domestic partnership to exist when two people share "a close and committed personal relationship" and "live together and have been living together on a continuous basis." While domestic partners must generally register their partnerships with the New York City Clerk, the Code makes clear that the City will recognize a marriage, domestic partnership or civil union lawfully entered into under the laws of another state.