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Public Accommodations

Service Animals in Public Places

Accessibility in Public Places

Refusal of Service and Discrimination

Dress Code and Public Places

Harassment in Public Places

What is Public Accommodation Discrimination?

Individuals have the right to access businesses and public places without discrimination. Public accommodations discrimination occurs when a person is treated differently because of a protected class when accessing goods, services, or facilities that are open to the public.

This may include:

  • Refusing service
  • Providing different services or conditions
  • Denying access to facilities
  • Creating barriers that prevent equal access

Under federal and Indiana civil rights laws, businesses and other public accommodations may not deny service, provide unequal treatment, or create barriers based on protected characteristics.

If you believe you experienced discrimination in a public place, there are time limits for filing a complaint. In most cases, a complaint must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory act.

Filing as soon as possible can help ensure that your complaint can be reviewed.

What Are Public Accommodations?

Public accommodations are businesses or facilities that provide goods, services, or access to the public.

Examples of public accommodations may include:

  • Restaurants and cafes
  • Hotels and lodging establishments
  • Retail stores and shopping centers
  • Theaters and entertainment venues
  • Hospitals and medical offices
  • Gyms and fitness centers
  • Salons and personal care businesses
  • Transportation services

These places must generally provide equal access to all individuals.

Protected Classes in Public Accommodations:

Discrimination in public accommodations may violate civil rights laws when it is based on a protected class.

Protected classes may include:

  • Race
  • Color
  • Religion
  • Sex
  • Disability
  • National origin
  • Ancestry

Businesses may not treat customers differently because of these characteristics.

Examples of Public Accommodations Discrimination:

Public accommodations discrimination can take many forms. Examples may include:

  • Refusing service to a customer because of a protected class
  • Denying access to a business or facility
  • Providing different seating or services to certain customers
  • Refusing to allow a service animal
  • Enforcing policies differently based on a protected class

Each situation is evaluated based on the specific facts and circumstances.

Who Is Covered:

Public accommodations laws may apply to:

  • Customers
  • Individuals seeking services
  • Members of the public accessing facilities

These protections help ensure that individuals can access public spaces without discrimination.

If You Believe You Experienced Discrimination in a Public Place

If you believe a business or public place treated you unfairly because of a protected class, you may be able to file a discrimination complaint.

The Indiana Civil Rights Commission investigates complaints involving discrimination in public accommodations, housing, employment, education, and credit.

To learn more about filing a complaint, visit the How to File a Discrimination Complaint page.