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Human Rights, Division of

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Agency Web Site: https://dhr.ny.gov/Link to External Website

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 (HRL), discrimination based on race, sex, age, military status, sexual orientation, disability or membership in other specified classes is illegal. The Division of Human Rights (DHR) is charged with enforcing the HRL and protecting the civil rights of New Yorkers. To fulfill these responsibilities, DHR 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.

Organization and Staffing

DHR operates from its main office in New York City and from seven regional offices in Albany, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Hempstead, Manhattan, Rochester and White Plains, and three satellite offices in Binghamton, Hauppauge, and Syracuse.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2021 Executive Budget recommends $18 million and a workforce of 164 FTEs, unchanged from FY 2020.

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)

Program Highlights

Investigations, Prosecutions and Hearings

DHR receives formally filed complaints of HRL violations. Alleged violations are investigated and, in cases where there is probable cause that unlawful discrimination occurred, DHR holds hearings before an Administrative Law Judge and resolves the complaint based on that hearing.

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Work-Share Agreement

DHR investigates cases of employment discrimination for the EEOC pursuant to the Federal Work-Share Agreement.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Cooperative Agreement

DHR investigates and prosecutes cases of housing discrimination pursuant to the Federal Cooperative Agreement. Additionally, DHR conducts fair housing education and outreach activities.

ALL FUNDS
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Category Available
FY 2020		 Appropriations
Recommended
FY 2021		 Change From
FY 2020		 Reappropriations
Recommended
FY 2021
State Operations 18,153,000 18,153,000 0 8,557,000
Total 18,153,000 18,153,000 0 8,557,000

ALL FUND TYPES
PROJECTED LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT BY PROGRAM
FILLED ANNUAL SALARIED POSITIONS
Program FY 2020
Estimated FTEs
03/31/20		 FY 2021
Estimated FTEs
03/31/21		 FTE Change
Administration
General Fund 124 124 0
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 40 40 0
Total 164 164 0

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2020		 Recommended
FY 2021		 Change
General Fund 12,135,000 12,135,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 6,018,000 6,018,000 0
Total 18,153,000 18,153,000 0

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2020		 Recommended
FY 2021		 Change
Administration
General Fund 12,135,000 12,135,000 0
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 6,018,000 6,018,000 0
Total 18,153,000 18,153,000 0

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2021 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service Regular
(Annual Salaried)
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 9,729,000 0 9,420,000 0
Total 9,729,000 0 9,420,000 0
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2021 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Temporary Service
(Nonannual Salaried)		 Holiday/Overtime Pay
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 292,000 0 17,000 0
Total 292,000 0 17,000 0

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2021 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Supplies and Materials
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 2,406,000 0 136,000 0
Total 2,406,000 0 136,000 0
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2021 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Travel Contractual Services
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 110,000 0 2,046,000 0
Total 110,000 0 2,046,000 0
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF NONPERSONAL SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE UNDISTRIBUTED
APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2021 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Equipment
Amount Change
Administration 114,000 0
Total 114,000 0

STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2021 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 6,018,000 0 2,749,000 0
Total 6,018,000 0 2,749,000 0
STATE OPERATIONS - OTHER THAN GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2021 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Nonpersonal Service
Amount Change
Administration 3,269,000 0
Total 3,269,000 0

Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/29/2020

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