New York State Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Exam

What did the 1988 amendment to the Civil Rights Act protect?

1. Sexual orientation

2. Disability and familial status

3. Marital status

4. Citizenship

The correct answer is: Disability and familial status

The 1988 amendment to the Civil Rights Act specifically aimed to enhance protections against housing discrimination, targeting two significant aspects: disability and familial status. This amendment extended the Fair Housing Act, which originally prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, by adding those two categories. Disability protection ensures that individuals with physical or mental impairments are safeguarded from discrimination in housing practices, such as leasing or purchasing homes. Familial status protection prohibits discrimination against households with children, ensuring that families, including those with pregnant women or individuals under 18 years old, have equal access to housing opportunities. Other options such as sexual orientation, marital status, and citizenship were not included as protected characteristics under this amendment, which is why they do not accurately represent the content of the 1988 amendment.