Protected Classes Under Indiana Civil Rights Law
The Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) enforces state laws that make it illegal to discriminate against someone because of certain protected characteristics, called protected classes.
If you believe you were treated unfairly because of a protected class, you may have experienced unlawful discrimination in an area ICRC covers (employment, housing, public accommodations, education, or credit).
What Are Protected Classes?
Protected classes are personal characteristics that are specifically protected under Indiana civil rights laws. It is unlawful to deny someone equal opportunity in covered areas because of any of the protected classes below.
ICRC accepts complaints involving the following protected classes:
- Race
- Color
- National Origin
- Ancestry
- Religion
- Sex
- Disability
- Veteran Status (employment only)
- Familial Status (housing only – having children under 18 in the home)
If you were treated differently for another reason (for example, a personal conflict or general unfairness that is not connected to a protected class), ICRC may not have jurisdiction, but we may still be able to connect you with other resources.
How Do I Know if My Situation Involves a Protected Class?
You might have a discrimination issue if:
- Someone mentioned your race, religion, sex, disability, or another protected class when they took action against you
- People outside your protected class were treated more favorably in the same situation
A rule or practice seems neutral but impacts people in a certain protected class more harshly
Discrimination vs. General Unfairness
Not all unfair treatment is unlawful discrimination under Indiana civil rights law.
To be unlawful discrimination that ICRC can investigate, the unfair treatment must:
- Happen in a covered area (employment, housing, public accommodations, education, or credit), and
- Be because of your membership in a protected class (such as race, sex, disability, etc.).
