42 U.S.C. § 12203, titled "Prohibition against retaliation and coercion," safeguards individuals from facing negative consequences for exercising specific rights. It protects against both retaliation, which encompasses any discrimination faced for opposing unlawful practices, filing complaints, or participating in investigations, and coercion, which prohibits attempts to intimidate, threaten, or interfere with individuals exercising their rights or encouraging others to do so. This law fosters a climate where individuals can freely exercise their rights without fear of retribution, upholding the protections outlined within the relevant chapter.
42 U.S.C. § 12203
(a) Retaliation
No person shall discriminate against any individual because such individual has opposed any act or practice made unlawful by this chapter or because such individual made a charge, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this chapter.
(b) Interference, coercion, or intimidation
It shall be unlawful to coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any individual in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of his or her having exercised or enjoyed, or on account of his or her having aided or encouraged any other individual in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by this chapter.
(c) Remedies and procedures
The remedies and procedures available under sections 12117, 12133, and 12188 of this title shall be available to aggrieved persons for violations of subsections (a) and (b), with respect to subchapter I, subchapter II and subchapter III, respectively.
(Pub. L. 101–336, title V, § 503, July 26, 1990, 104 Stat. 370.)
