Human Rights, Division of

Agency Web Site: http://www.dhr.ny.gov/

Mission

New York was the first state in the nation to enact a civil rights law, affording every individual an equal opportunity to enjoy a full and productive life, including in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and credit. Under the State’s Human Rights Law, discriminating against others because of their race, sex, age, military status, sexual orientation, disability or membership in other specified classes is illegal. The Division of Human Rights is the State agency charged with enforcing the Human Rights Law and protecting the civil rights of New Yorkers. To fulfill these responsibilities, the Division: prosecutes unlawful discriminatory practices, investigates and resolves individual complaints of illegal discrimination, advances policies and legislation that expand and/or better protect the civil rights of New Yorkers, and promotes human rights awareness through education and outreach.

Budget Highlights

The Executive Budget recommends $18.7 million for the Division. This is a decrease of $2.5 million from the 2011-12 Budget. The decrease primarily reflects a 2.5 percent State Operations reduction, and the reduction of Federal appropriations to more closely reflect actual estimated Federal grants.

The Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 178 FTEs for the Division. This is a decrease of 10 FTEs from the 2011-12 Budget. The decrease primarily reflects the estimated effect of normal attrition and the Statewide hiring freeze.

For more information on this agency's budget recommendations located in the Executive Budget Briefing Book, click on the following link:

Briefing Book – Human Services (PDF)

Note: Most recent estimates as of 1/17/2012

Click for additional detailed appropriation tables