NJ Bill S1631 Targets Height and Weight Discrimination
New Jersey's Bill S1631 offers new protections against height and weight discrimination.
Why it matters: Corporations may need to adjust diversity policies and hiring practices to prevent size-based bias.
- Bill S1631 amends NJ's anti-discrimination laws to cover height and weight.
- Introduced by Senators Zwicker and McKnight in January 2026.
- Cleared the Senate Labor Committee on February 5, 2026, moving it forward in the legislative process.
- A previous similar bill passed the Senate in 2024 but lacked an Assembly counterpart.
New Jersey is advancing Bill S1631, which aims to prohibit discrimination based on height and weight. The bill seeks to amend the current Law Against Discrimination, thereby potentially altering workplace norms and diversity policies.
Senators Andrew Zwicker and Angela V. McKnight introduced the bill in January 2026. It successfully passed the Senate Labor Committee on February 5, 2026, marking a step forward in its legislative journey. This follows a precedent set by a similar 2024 bill which passed the Senate but did not progress due to the absence of a corresponding Assembly measure.
The bill outlines exceptions where height and weight benchmarks can be considered for specific safety roles, recognizing the importance of bona fide occupational qualifications. Existing precedents in New York City and Michigan suggest a growing trend towards inclusion of such protections.
A related Assembly bill, A4563, is expected to be introduced in March 2026, which could set a new standard for addressing bodily metrics discrimination in New Jersey and potentially beyond.
Yes, but: While passing the Senate Labor Committee is a positive step, the full legislative passage is not guaranteed.
What's next: The Assembly is expected to introduce a companion bill, A4563, in March 2026.