Attorney General Davenport and Division on Civil Rights Announce New Section to Safeguard Civil Rights of Students
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By Adam Rizvi | Editor-in-Chief, The India Observer (TIO):
TRENTON, N.J. — In a significant move to strengthen student civil rights protections, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR) have announced the creation of a new Education and Public Accommodations Enforcement Section, a
dedicated unit that will investigate discrimination complaints involving K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and other public accommodations across the state.
The announcement comes as federal enforcement of student civil rights has significantly diminished since early 2025. According to the Attorney General’s Office, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights closed seven of its twelve regional offices—including the office responsible for New Jersey—and reportedly dismissed more than 90 percent of complaints received between March and September 2025 without review.
“As the Trump Administration continues to roll back landmark civil rights protections, students have paid the price for the federal government’s irresponsible abdication of its duty,” Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said. “Every student in New Jersey deserves the chance to learn free from discrimination and harassment.”
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The newly created section will operate within DCR’s Investigations Unit and focus on enforcing New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination (LAD). It will investigate allegations involving:
- Bias-based harassment and bullying
- Disability accommodations
- Language-access barriers affecting English Language Learners
- Discriminatory school discipline practices
- Discrimination in places of public accommodation
The unit will be led by Deputy Director Michael Campion, Chief Legal Specialist Chiqueena Lee, and Chief of Investigations Justin Hoffer, supported by a team of legal specialists and investigators.
Officials emphasized that matters involving school curriculum or Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) will continue to remain under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey Department of Education.
To strengthen the state’s investigative capacity, DCR also announced a partnership with the National Center for Youth Law, which will provide specialized training for investigators and attorneys. The training program will include expertise from former senior officials of both the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education.
Yolanda N. Melville, Director of the Division on Civil Rights, said equal access to safe and inclusive education remains a fundamental right.
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“At a time when federal protections are being eroded, our new Education and Public Accommodations Civil Rights Enforcement Section will equip DCR to safeguard the civil rights of New Jersey’s students,” Melville said.
The announcement also highlighted DCR’s recent enforcement efforts, including a Finding of Probable Cause against Ridgewood Public Schools involving allegations that a teacher discriminated against a four-year-old student with Down syndrome by wrapping packing tape around the child’s ankles and shoes, allegedly causing physical and emotional harm. According to DCR, the district failed to adequately address the teacher’s conduct.
State officials noted that a Finding of Probable Cause is not a final determination but indicates sufficient evidence exists to support a reasonable suspicion that New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination may have been violated. Cases then proceed to conciliation before potential litigation.
The Attorney General’s Office said the new enforcement section builds upon DCR’s broader efforts to combat discrimination in schools, address bias-based harassment, promote language access, and provide educators with civil rights training aimed at preventing discrimination.
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Editorial Note
The creation of this specialized enforcement section reflects New Jersey’s decision to expand state-level civil rights protections for students at a time when federal enforcement has become more limited. For families, educators, and school districts, the initiative signals increased oversight and reinforces the state’s commitment to ensuring that every student has equal access to a safe, inclusive, and discrimination-free educational environment.
Source: New Jersey Office of the Attorney General
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