§ 22-9-1-2 — Public policy; construction of chapter

(a) It is the public policy of the state to provide
all of its citizens equal opportunity for education, employment, access
to public conveniences and accommodations, and acquisition through
purchase or rental of real property, including but not limited to housing,
and to eliminate segregation or separation based solely on race,
religion, color, sex, disability, national origin, or ancestry, since such
segregation is an impediment to equal opportunity. Equal education
and employment opportunities and equal access to and use of public
accommodations and equal opportunity for acquisition of real property
are hereby declared to be civil rights.
(b) The practice of denying these rights to properly qualified
persons by reason of the race, religion, color, sex, disability, national
origin, or ancestry of such person is contrary to the principles of
freedom and equality of opportunity and is a burden to the objectives
of the public policy of this state and shall be considered as
discriminatory practices. The promotion of equal opportunity without
regard to race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin, or
ancestry through reasonable methods is the purpose of this chapter.
(c) It is also the public policy of this state to protect employers,
labor organizations, employment agencies, property owners, real estate
brokers, builders, and lending institutions from unfounded charges of
discrimination.
(d) It is hereby declared to be contrary to the public policy of the
state and an unlawful practice for any person, for profit, to induce or
attempt to induce any person to sell or rent any dwelling by
representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the
neighborhood of a person or persons of a particular race, religion,
color, sex, disability, national origin, or ancestry.
(e) The general assembly recognizes that on February 16, 1972,
there are institutions of learning in Indiana presently and traditionally
following the practice of limiting admission of students to males or to
females. It is further recognized that it would be unreasonable to
impose upon these institutions the expense of remodeling facilities to
accommodate students of both sexes, and that educational facilities of
similar quality and type are available in coeducational institutions for
those students desiring such facilities. It is further recognized that this
chapter is susceptible of interpretation to prevent these institutions
from continuing their traditional policies, a result not intended by the
general assembly. Therefore, the amendment effected by Acts 1972,
P.L.176, is desirable to permit the continuation of the policies
described.
(f) It is against the public policy of the state and a discriminatory
practice for an employer to discriminate against a prospective
employee on the basis of status as a veteran by:
(1) refusing to employ an applicant for employment on the basis
that the applicant is a veteran of the armed forces of the United
States; or
(2) refusing to employ an applicant for employment on the basis
that the applicant is a member of the Indiana National Guard or
member of a reserve component.
(g) This chapter shall be construed broadly to effectuate its purpose.
Formerly: Acts 1961, c.208, s.2; Acts 1963, c.173, s.2; Acts
1965, c.214, s.1; Acts 1967, c.276, s.1; Acts 1969, c.298, s.1; Acts
1971, P.L.357, SEC.2; Acts 1975, P.L.256, SEC.1. As amended by
P.L.5-1988, SEC.116; P.L.23-1993, SEC.130; P.L.136-2014,
SEC.2.