# 42 U.S.C. § 1981a: Damages in cases of intentional discrimination in employment

> Federal · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t42_s1981a

## Section

- **Citation:** 42 U.S.C. § 1981a
- **Heading:** Damages in cases of intentional discrimination in employment
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 9, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE > CHAPTER 21—CIVIL RIGHTS > SUBCHAPTER I—GENERALLY

## Text

In an action brought by a complaining party under section 706 or 717 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 [ 42 U.S.C. 2000e–5 , 2000e–16] against a respondent who engaged in unlawful intentional discrimination (not an employment practice that is unlawful because of its disparate impact) prohibited under section 703, 704, or 717 of the Act [ 42 U.S.C. 2000e–2 , 2000e–3, 2000e–16], and provided that the complaining party cannot recover under section 1981 of this title , the complaining party may recover compensatory and punitive damages as allowed in subsection (b), in addition to any relief authorized by section 706(g) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, from the respondent.

(R.S. § 1977A, as added Pub. L. 102–166, title I, § 102 , Nov. 21, 1991 , 105 Stat. 1072 .)

## Nearby sections

- [42 U.S.C. § 1981 Equal rights under the law](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t42_s1981.md)
- [42 U.S.C. § 1981a Damages in cases of intentional discrimination in employment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t42_s1981a.md)
- [42 U.S.C. § 1982 Property rights of citizens](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t42_s1982.md)
- [42 U.S.C. § 1983 Civil action for deprivation of rights](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t42_s1983.md)
- [42 U.S.C. § 1984 Omitted](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t42_s1984.md)
- [42 U.S.C. § 1985 Conspiracy to interfere with civil rights](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t42_s1985.md)
- [42 U.S.C. § 1986 Action for neglect to prevent](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t42_s1986.md)
- [42 U.S.C. § 1987 Prosecution of violation of certain laws](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t42_s1987.md)
- [42 U.S.C. § 1988 Proceedings in vindication of civil rights](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t42_s1988.md)
- [42 U.S.C. § 1989 United States magistrate judges; appointment of persons to execute warrants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t42_s1989.md)
- [42 U.S.C. § 1990 Marshal to obey precepts; refusing to receive or execute process](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t42_s1990.md)
- [42 U.S.C. § 1991 Fees; persons appointed to execute process](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t42_s1991.md)
- [42 U.S.C. § 1992 Speedy trial](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t42_s1992.md)
- [42 U.S.C. § 1993 Repealed. Pub. L. 85–315 , pt. III, § 122, Sept. 9, 1957 , 71 Stat. 637](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t42_s1993.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t42_s1981a. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.