May 7, 2026 — The New York State Division of Human Rights (DHR) is dedicated to protecting and enforcing the civil and human rights of New Yorkers through New York’s Human Rights laws. The state passed its first version of the New York Human Rights Law in 1945, known then as the Law Against Discrimination. Since 1968, when DHR was created, employees of the division have been tasked with investigating complaints of discrimination and enforcing the law when necessary.
The agency is spread across 13 units, ranging from units responsible for tracking reports of discrimination, to units responsible for prosecution and enforcement. Albert Jacobs III is the Director of Investigations for the Division-Initiated Action Unit (DIAU). He has been with DHR and a PEF member for 18 years—since 2008—working in the DIAU for the last 10 years. The DIAU investigates discrimination complaints statewide. They file complaints on behalf of DHR and the state. Investigating high impact cases or cases involving systemic discrimination is the unit’s top priority.
“Our unit is based in the Bronx, but allegations can come to our unit from anywhere in New York,” said Jacobs. “This is a tip and referral unit. We receive tips from members of the public, regional offices, legislators and even the Governor’s office.”
New Yorkers who feel they’ve been discriminated against in employment, housing, public accommodation, education, credit and other areas can go to DHR and file an individual complaint form. The complaint is then assigned to one of 12 regional offices where an investigation will collect evidence and look for probable cause. Jacobs said that this process is slightly different for his unit.
“When we receive a tip or referral to begin an investigation from any of the offices, if it is alleged to have taken place in New York and it appears to be systemic, our unit opens an investigation to see what is going on,” said Jacobs. “We look for potential violations of the human rights laws through requests for information, interviews and other evidence collecting.”
DHR has about 300 staff members. The DIAU has six full-time staff members responsible for investigating complaints across the state. That is four more than the unit had when Jacobs first joined the team.
The DIAU has helped bring several cases of education discrimination, housing discrimination, disability discrimination, and other human rights law violations. In 2024, through the work of DHR and Jacobs’ unit, the state was able to successfully resolve a complaint filed against the Gouverneur Central School District and First Student Inc., the largest school bus operator in the nation, following an allegation of racial harassment and assault of a 10-year-old student. In addition to revised policies, compliance reviews and semi-annual reports, the school district and bus operator had to pay a $42,000 penalty to the State of New York.
“When we get cases that go up against powerful companies, they often bring talented, multinational lawyers and law firms against us,” said Jacobs. “I think that for our small team and for DHR to be able to successfully make our case and secure judgements in favor of the people of New York is pretty incredible.”
Jacobs said that the work done by his team is important now more than ever. As New Yorkers face more attacks on their civil and human rights, Jacobs believes that millions of New Yorkers need an agency like DHR.
“New York has by far the most robust Human Rights Law,” said Jacobs. “The protections it affords and the work we’re able to do because we enforce those protections are so vital at a time when civil rights are being stripped away. Our staff are committed to making sure we take care of each New Yorker.”