Civil Rights Laws in North Carolina.

Declares public policy against discrimination based on race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, or handicap. However, NC Supreme Court held in Smith v. First Union Nat'l Bank (2000) that EEPA provides NO independent private cause of action for most claims — federal law (Title VII, ADA, ADEA) is primary remedy.

Protects employees from retaliation for specified protected activities: filing workers' compensation claim, reporting OSHA violations, exercising FMLA rights, and similar. Private cause of action with treble damages and attorney fees.

Prohibits disability discrimination in employment, public services, public accommodations, and housing. Applies to employers with 15+ employees (matching ADA). Provides state-law cause of action parallel to ADA.

Parallels the federal Fair Housing Act. Enforced by the North Carolina Human Relations Commission.

Unlike New Mexico and Colorado, North Carolina has not enacted a state-law analog to § 1983. State-actor constitutional claims proceed under federal § 1983 with qualified immunity.