California Real Estate SalespersonPractice of Real Estate and DisclosuresEasy
Which of the following is protected under California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) but is NOT one of the seven protected classes under the federal Fair Housing Act?
- AReligion
- BRace
- CNational origin
- DMarital status
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Marital status
The federal Fair Housing Act protects race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability. California's FEHA expands protections to include marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, source of income, and other categories not covered federally.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Religion is one of the original federal protected classes.
- B. Race is protected under both federal and state law.
- C. National origin is also protected federally.
FEHA vs. Federal Fair Housing Act
California's FEHA provides broader housing discrimination protections than the federal Fair Housing Act, adding categories like marital status, sexual orientation, and source of income.
- Federal law covers 7 classes: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, disability
- FEHA adds marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, source of income, genetic information
- California law generally offers greater protection than federal minimums
Memory trick: Federal has 7, California adds more — FEHA is the 'plus' law.