What is the correct answer to: Indiana's Civil Rights Law adds which protected classes beyond federal law?

The correct answer is Ancestry. Indiana Code §22-9.5-3-1 specifically lists ancestry as a protected class in housing transactions, going beyond the seven classes protected under the federal Fair Housing Act. Ancestry protection covers discrimination based on a person's ethnic or familial lineage, which can encompass groups not fully captured by the federal 'national origin' category. Answer B is correct because ancestry is the specific addition Indiana has made to federal fair housing protections.

What background knowledge is needed for this Practice Of Real Estate question?

Indiana enacted its Civil Rights Law in 1963, predating the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, reflecting an early state-level commitment to anti-discrimination principles. The inclusion of ancestry as a protected class was intended to address discrimination against ethnic communities in Indiana, including significant populations of Eastern European, German, and other immigrant-descended communities who faced housing discrimination based on their heritage. Over the decades, federal law expanded its own protections with the addition of familial status and disability in the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988, but Indiana's ancestry provision has remained a distinctive feature of state law. The interplay between state and federal fair housing law means that Indiana residents enjoy the broader of the two sets of protections in any given situation.

What is a good way to remember the answer to this Practice Of Real Estate question?

Use the mnemonic 'Indiana Jones digs up ANCESTRY' — just as Indiana Jones is famous for excavating ancient lineages and origins, Indiana the state digs deeper than federal law by protecting ancestry. The image of Indiana Jones carefully brushing away dirt to reveal ancient family roots is a vivid way to remember that ancestry (your family's historical lineage) is Indiana's unique addition to fair housing protections. When encountering questions about state-specific fair housing laws, remember that states can add protections above the federal minimum, but cannot remove any.

What exam tip applies to this Practice Of Real Estate question?

For state-specific fair housing questions, always start by firmly knowing the seven federal protected classes, then ask what the specific state adds. Indiana's answer is almost always 'ancestry,' which is the one class that distinguishes it from federal law in the context of this exam. Be careful not to select sexual orientation or source of income for Indiana, as those are protected in other states but not statewide in Indiana.

How does this Practice Of Real Estate concept apply in real world practice?

A landlord in Indianapolis refuses to rent an apartment to an applicant because the applicant has a Polish surname and the landlord assumes the applicant's family background is Eastern European. Under the federal Fair Housing Act, this could be argued as national origin discrimination, but Indiana's Civil Rights Law provides an even clearer basis for a complaint by explicitly protecting ancestry. The applicant files a complaint with the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, which investigates and finds probable cause for discrimination based on ancestry. This case illustrates how Indiana's broader state law provides an additional layer of protection beyond what federal law alone would guarantee.

Practice Of Real EstateFair HousingMEDIUM

Indiana's Civil Rights Law adds which protected classes beyond federal law?

Correct Answer

B) Ancestry

Indiana adds ancestry as a protected class beyond federal fair housing protections.

Answer Options

None

Ancestry

Sexual orientation statewide

Source of income statewide

Study Infographics

Study card infographic for: Indiana's Civil Rights Law adds which protected classes beyond federal law?

Download

Why This Is the Correct Answer

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Deep Analysis of This Practice Of Real Estate Question

Background Knowledge for Practice Of Real Estate

Real World Application in Practice Of Real Estate

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Practice Of Real Estate Questions

Related Concepts

Tie-In Arrangement

A tie-in arrangement is an illegal antitrust practice in which a seller conditions the purchase of one product or service on the buyer's agreement to purchase a separate product or service.

Trust Account / Escrow Account

A trust account, also called an escrow account, is a separate bank account maintained by a broker to hold funds belonging to others, such as earnest money deposits, security deposits, or other client funds.

Advertising Regulations

Advertising regulations govern how real estate licensees may market properties and services, requiring truthful, non-deceptive advertising that includes proper identification of the brokerage.

Was this explanation helpful?

People Also Study

Buyer Representation Agreement

8% of exam

Property Ownership

10% of exam

Land Use Controls and Regulations

8% of exam

Valuation and Market Analysis

10% of exam

Property Flyer Generator — 2026 Guide for U.S. Agents: Step-by-Step + Best Practices

Learn how Property Flyer Generator works and how U.S. real estate agents use it in 2026. Includes setup steps, practical examples, and best-practice tips.

Why Real Estate Exam Notes Stop Helping Once You Avoid Mixed Practice

A topic that feels clear in notes can still fail in practice if recall has not caught up with recognition. If you are searching for real estate exam notes...

Real Estate Exam Practice Questions by Topic (2026): Free Sets for Contracts, Agency, Financing

Get topic-based real estate exam practice sets and a simple sequence to move from learning to timed mocks.

Practice Of Real Estate Questions

Indiana's Civil Rights Law adds which protected classes beyond federal law?

Why This Is the Correct Answer

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Deep Analysis of This Practice Of Real Estate Question

Background Knowledge for Practice Of Real Estate

Real World Application in Practice Of Real Estate

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Practice Of Real Estate Questions

Related Topics & Key Terms

Related Concepts

More Practice Of Real Estate Questions

People Also Study

Related Articles

Practice More Questions