Under which federal law are individuals with mental or physical handicaps protected?

The Fair Housing Act is the primary law that addresses discrimination based on disability, which includes both mental and physical handicaps. It was originally enacted in 1968 and later amended, notably in 1988, when protections for individuals with disabilities were explicitly included. This amendment also established requirements for reasonable accommodations and modifications in housing for individuals with disabilities.

In this context, the Civil Rights Act of 1974 primarily deals with issues of race, color, national origin, and sex discrimination, but it does not specifically address disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act is a crucial statute that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in various areas, including public accommodations and employment, but it is separate from housing discrimination laws.

The Civil Rights Act Amendment of 1988 specifically expanded the Fair Housing Act to include protections against discrimination based on disability. Therefore, in terms of federal law concerning protections for individuals with mental or physical handicaps in the context of housing, the Fair Housing Act, amended in 1988, serves as the correct answer.