The State of Texas became the most recent state to sign the “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair” (CROWN) Act into law, doing so via H.B. 567. The Act aims to combat discrimination on the basis of hair texture or specific hairstyles commonly associated with race. With the passing of H.B. 567, race-based hair discrimination is prohibited in Texas workplaces, schools and housing policies.
Here are the key provisions of the legislation:
- The law prohibits any school district’s student dress or grooming policy, including those related to extracurricular activities, from discriminating against hair texture or protective hairstyles associated with race. Protective hairstyles, as defined in the law, include braids, locks, and twists.
- It extends the same prohibition on discrimination to institutions of higher education, ensuring that student dress or grooming policies, including those for extracurricular activities, cannot discriminate against hair texture or protective hairstyles commonly associated with race.
- It establishes that discrimination based on hair texture or protective hairstyles associated with race is equivalent to racial discrimination. This applies to employers, labor unions, and employment agencies, making it unlawful to adopt or enforce dress or grooming policies that discriminate against such hairstyles.
- The new law clarifies that racial discrimination includes discrimination based on a person’s hair texture or protective hairstyle commonly associated with race.
The new law will take effect in Texas on September 1, 2023, and will apply to discriminatory practices occurring on or after this date.
