A New Jersey state Senate committee is schedule to hold a hearing on a bill that would make discrimination based on a person’s height or weight illegal under the state’s Law Against Discrimination.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Andrew Zwicker, a Democrat representing parts of Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset counties, and Sen. Angela V. McKnight, a Democrat from Hudson County, would add height and weight to the list of protected characteristics under the decades-old statute.

If enacted, the measure would prohibit employers, landlords, businesses, financial institutions and government entities from discriminating against individuals because of their height or weight, subject to limited exceptions.

The legislation allows for employment-related distinctions when height or weight is a bona fide occupational qualification and permits public accommodations to impose restrictions for legitimate safety reasons.

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against would have access to the same remedies available for other forms of unlawful discrimination, including compensatory and punitive damages.

Under the bill, discrimination would be prohibited in hiring, firing, compensation and other terms of employment, as well as in housing sales and rentals, access to public accommodations, credit and lending practices, and business transactions.

The bill’s sponsors say the legislation is modeled after Michigan’s civil rights law, which includes height and weight among its protected categories.

The measure has been introduced and is pending technical review by legislative counsel. It would take effect immediately if approved by the Legislature and signed into law by the governor.

A previous version of this bill was approved by the state Senate last session, but died in the Assembly.