- The California State Assembly unanimously passed a bill banning discrimination against natural hair in the workplace.
- The CROWN (Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair) Act will update the state's existing anti-discrimination laws to include the protection of natural hair styles.
- California Sen. Holly Mitchell, who led the charge on the bill, tweeted that it was "on its way" to the desk of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. If signed, it will become law.
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California is set to become the first US state to ban discrimination against natural hair in the workplace.
The bill, dubbed the CROWN (Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair) Act, was passed unanimously by the California state assembly, 69-0, according to Good Morning America.
California State Sen. Holly Mitchell led the charge on the SB-188, updating the state's existing anti-discrimination laws to include the protection of "traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, and would define protective hairstyles for purposes of these provisions."
SB 188. The CROWN Act. #MyCrown pic.twitter.com/OcrG7Is5bU
— Holly J Mitchell (@HollyJMitchell) February 24, 2019
"Workplace dress code and grooming policies that prohibit natural hair, including afros, braids, twists, and locks, have a disparate impact on black individuals as these policies are more likely to deter black applicants and burden or punish black employees than any other group," as stated in the bill.
Mitchell posted on Twitter to celebrate the passing of the bill by the assembly and that it was "on its way" to the desk of California Gov. Gavin Newsom for his signature.
If signed, the bill would "legally protect people in workplaces and K-12 public schools by prohibiting the enforcement of grooming policies that disproportionately affect people of color, particularly black people," Los Angeles Times reported.
Our #CROWNS rule. Passed the Assembly today. On its way to @GavinNewsom desk!
— Holly J Mitchell (@HollyJMitchell) June 27, 2019
California set to be first state to protect black people from natural hair discrimination https://t.co/rpLTBfvQdV
Mitchell gave a speech to other members of the California State Senate earlier this year, explaining that the legislation is intended to debunk "common-held myths about what constitutes professionalism in the workplace."
"A Google image search for 'unprofessional hairstyles' yielded only pictures of black women with their natural hair or wearing natural braids or twists," she said in her speech.
The bill addressed this issue by stating, "Despite the great strides American society and laws have made to reverse the racist ideology that Black traits are inferior, hair remains a rampant source of racial discrimination with serious economic and health consequences, especially for black individuals."
Similarly, New York City made hair discrimination illegal in school, at work, and in public places.
"I believe that any law, policy or practice that sanctions a job description that immediately excludes me from a profession — not because of my capacity or my capabilities or my experience but because of my hairstyle choice — is long overdue for reform," Mitchell, who said she wears her hair naturally, told CNN.
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