Vermont has amended its Fair Employment Practices Act to provides that the term “race” as a protected class includes traits associated with or perceived to be associated with race, including hair type, hair texture, hairstyles, and protective hairstyles. “Protective hairstyles” include hairstyles such as individual braids, cornrows, locs, twists, Bantu knots, afros, afro puffs, and others.
The amended law is effective July 1, 2024.
