Legislation creating a state-level Human Relations Council (N.J.S.A. 59:9DD-8) was passed by both houses on September 23, 1997. The legislation specifies that the Council is to be a permanent, independent body in but not of the Department of Law and Public Safety. The first meeting of the Council was held on September 30, 1999.

The Council will develop policy proposals for the state, assist with coordinating efforts to promote "prejudice reduction," will work to prevent crimes based on race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or disability. The Council will also act as a clearinghouse for information and program ideas among the existing county and municipal human relations commissions.

Among its many activities, the Council will cooperate with state, county, and local government agencies to educate, encourage, develop, promote, and strengthen respect for human rights and cultural diversity and prevent and combat racism, intolerance and bigotry.

The Council includes public members, who are appointed by the Governor, the Senate President and the Assembly Speaker, as well as members of the General Assembly, representatives from the county human relations commissions, and ex-officio members.