TITLE 42 - THE PUBLIC
HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 21 - CIVIL RIGHTS
SUBCHAPTER I - GENERALLY
42 U.S.C. Section 1981.
Equal rights under the law
(a) Statement of
equal rights
All persons within the jurisdiction of the United States
shall
have the same right in every State and Territory to make and
enforce contracts, to sue, be parties, give evidence, and to
the
full and equal benefit of all laws and proceedings for the
security
of persons and property as is enjoyed by white citizens, and
shall
be subject to like punishment, pains, penalties, taxes,
licenses,
and exactions of every kind, and to no other.
(b) "Make and
enforce contracts" defined
For purposes of this section, the term "make and enforce
contracts" includes the making, performance, modification,
and
termination of contracts, and the enjoyment of all benefits,
privileges, terms, and conditions of the contractual
relationship.
(c) Protection
against impairment
The rights protected by this section are protected against
impairment by nongovernmental discrimination and impairment
under
color of State law.
-SOURCE-
(R.S. Sec. 1977; Pub. L. 102-166, title I, Sec. 101, Nov.
21, 1991,
105 Stat. 1071.)
