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 the Bronx and from seven regional offices in Albany, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Hempstead, Manhattan, Rochester and White Plains, and three satellite offices in Binghamton, Hauppauge, and Syracuse. The Office of Sexual Harassment Issues investigates cases from Queens.

Budget Highlights

The FY 2023 Executive Budget recommends $20.7 million, a $1.6 million increase from FY 2022.

The FY 2023 Executive Budget recommends a workforce of 170 FTEs for DHR, an increase of 21 from FY 2022 workforce levels.

Major budget actions in the Executive Budget include $3.7 million in investments to support DHR's efforts in protecting New Yorkers from unlawful discrimination based on their protected class status. The Executive Budget also includes legislation which will prohibit discrimination against domestic violence victims and make explicit that that discrimination on the basis of citizenship and immigration status is unlawful.

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 2022		 Appropriations
Recommended
FY 2023		 Change From
FY 2022		 Reappropriations
Recommended
FY 2023
State Operations 19,100,000 20,733,000 1,633,000 9,424,000
Total 19,100,000 20,733,000 1,633,000 9,424,000

ALL FUND TYPES
PROJECTED LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT BY PROGRAM
FILLED ANNUAL SALARIED POSITIONS
Program FY 2022
Estimated FTEs
03/31/22		 FY 2023
Estimated FTEs
03/31/23		 FTE Change
Administration
General Fund 117 133 16
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 37 37 0
Total 154 170 16

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY FUND TYPE
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Fund Type Available
FY 2022		 Recommended
FY 2023		 Change
General Fund 13,082,000 14,715,000 1,633,000
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 6,018,000 6,018,000 0
Total 19,100,000 20,733,000 1,633,000
Adjustments:
Transfer(s) From
Special Pay Bill
General Fund (947,000)
Appropriated FY 2022 18,153,000

STATE OPERATIONS
ALL FUNDS FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS BY PROGRAM
APPROPRIATIONS
(dollars)
Program Available
FY 2022		 Recommended
FY 2023		 Change
Administration
General Fund 13,082,000 14,715,000 1,633,000
Special Revenue Funds - Federal 6,018,000 6,018,000 0
Total 19,100,000 20,733,000 1,633,000

STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2023 RECOMMENDED
(dollars)
Program Total Personal Service Regular
(Annual Salaried)
Amount Change Amount Change
Administration 12,309,000 1,633,000 12,000,000 1,633,000
Total 12,309,000 1,633,000 12,000,000 1,633,000
STATE OPERATIONS - GENERAL FUND
SUMMARY OF PERSONAL SERVICE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHANGES
FY 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 RECOMMENDED CONTINUED
(dollars)
Program Nonpersonal Service
Amount Change
Administration 3,269,000 0
Total 3,269,000 0

Note: Most recent estimates as of 05/11/2020

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