State Laws

Whether you’re lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or straight-supportive, your state’s laws probably have a major impact on your life. State laws govern everything from the legal status of relationships between same-sex partners to the ability of transgender people to list their correct gender identity on their birth certificates. The Human Rights Campaign works with state leaders to advance the rights of LGBT people across the nation, from Alabama to Wyoming.

Here you can learn about the current laws affecting LGBT issues in your state, as well as state legislation — upcoming bills that could change the way you live. You can also learn more about what’s going on in your state and find out about local news, elections and volunteer opportunities.

Select a State

State Laws can be filtered by state or you can view the full list of Laws by selecting "All State Laws."

New Jersey Adoption Law

New Jersey Birth Certificate Law: Gender Identity Issues

New Jersey will issue new birth certificates to post-operative transsexuals.

New Jersey Custody and Visitation Law

Courts typically will not consider a parent’s sexual orientation in custody and visitation determinations unless it is shown to adversely affect or harm the children. There are no published cases dealing with transgender parents. New Jersey courts will allow a former same-sex partner (with no legal or biological relationship to the children) to petition for visitation.

New Jersey Donor Insemination Law

New Jersey law permits unmarried women to undergo donor insemination.

New Jersey Hate Crimes Law

State law covers hate crimes based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

New Jersey Healthcare Laws

State healthcare laws relating to the LGBT community in the areas of medical decision making and hospital visitation.

New Jersey Marriage/Relationship Recognition Law

There is no explicit provision in New Jersey law purporting to ban the performance or recognition of marriages for same-sex couples. The New Jersey civil unions law took effect 2007.