OHIO LEGISLATIVE SERVICE COMMISSION
Office of Research Legislative Budget
www.lsc.ohio.gov and Drafting Office
S.B. 204 Bill Analysis
135th General Assembly
Click here for S.B. 204’s Fiscal Note
Version: As Introduced
Primary Sponsors: Sens. Hicks-Hudson and Ingram
Effective Date:
Kailey Henry, Research Analyst
SUMMARY
 Makes it an unlawful discriminatory practice under Ohio’s Civil Rights Law to
discriminate against an individual because of traits associated with the individual’s race,
including hair texture and protective hair styles, such as braids, locks, and twists, in
employment, places of public accommodation, housing, and credit practices.
 Prohibits public and chartered nonpublic K-12 schools and public and private preschools
from discriminating against an individual with respect to any program or activity
because of traits associated with the individual’s race, including hair texture and
protective hair styles, such as braids, locks, and twists.
 Allows an individual alleging such a school has discriminated against the individual
based on traits associated with the individual’s race to sue in any court having
jurisdiction.
DETAILED ANALYSIS
Ohio Civil Rights Law
Under Ohio’s Civil Rights Law,1 it is an unlawful discriminatory practice to discriminate
against an individual because of the individual’s race in employment, places of public
accommodation, housing, and credit practices.2 Currently, the Civil Rights Law does not define
“race.”
The bill specifies that “race” includes traits associated with an individual’s race,
including hair texture and protective hair styles, such as braids, locks, and twists. Thus, the bill
1 R.C. Chapter 4112.
2 R.C. 4112.02 and 4112.021, not in the bill.
December 26, 2023
Office of Research and Drafting LSC Legislative Budget Office
makes it an unlawful discriminatory practice under the Civil Rights Law to discriminate against
an individual because of traits associated with the individual’s race, including hair texture and
protective hair styles, in employment, places of public accommodation, housing, and credit
practices.3
Remedies for unlawful discriminatory practices
Under continuing law, any individual may file a charge with Ohio’s Civil Rights
Commission (which enforces the Civil Rights Law) alleging that another individual or entity has
engaged or is engaging in an unlawful discriminatory practice. The charge must be in writing
and made under oath. An individual must file a charge with the Commission within six months
to two years after the alleged unlawful discriminatory practice was committed, depending on
the unlawful discriminatory practice alleged. The Commission may investigate the charge and
may initiate further action under procedures specified in the law. Although the Commission
must first attempt to induce compliance with the Civil Rights Law through informal methods, if,
after a hearing, the Commission ultimately determines that an unlawful discriminatory practice
has occurred, it must issue a cease and desist order to remedy the situation and order any
further action necessary to effectuate the purpose of the law.4
Additionally, continuing law allows an individual subject to an unlawful discriminatory
practice to sue for damages, injunctive relief, or any other appropriate relief. Generally, an
individual may bring a lawsuit in addition to, not in lieu of, filing a charge with the Commission.
An individual may file suit within six years after the alleged unlawful discriminatory practice
occurred.5 However, if the discriminatory practice relates to employment, an individual can
only sue for damages if the individual first files a complaint with the Commission and receives a
notice of right to sue. An individual may only bring a lawsuit within two years after the alleged
discriminatory practice occurred. Filing a complaint with the Commission extends the statute of
limitations for an employment-related discrimination suit.6
Primary and secondary schools
The bill prohibits public and chartered nonpublic K-12 schools and all public and private
preschools from discriminating against any individual with respect to any program or activity
because of traits associated with the individual’s race, including hair texture and protective hair
styles, such as braids, locks, and twists. An individual alleging that such a school has
discriminated against the individual in violation of the bill’s prohibition may sue in any court of
competent jurisdiction.7
3 R.C. 4112.01 and R.C. 4112.02 and 4112.021, not in the bill.
4 R.C. 4112.05 and 4112.051, not in the bill.
5 R.C. 2305.07 and 4112.99, not in the bill.
6 R.C. 4112.052, not in the bill.
7 R.C. 3319.48, by reference to R.C. Chapter 3314, 3326, and 3328, and R.C. 2950.034 and 3310.01, not
in the bill, and conforming changes in R.C. 3314.03, 3326.11, and 3328.24.
P a g e |2 S.B. 204
As Introduced
Office of Research and Drafting LSC Legislative Budget Office
Bill title
The bill is titled the “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN)
Act.”8
HISTORY
Action Date
Introduced 12-11-23
ANSB0204IN-135/ar
8 Section 3.
P a g e |3 S.B. 204
As Introduced


Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3314.03, 3326.11, 3328.24, 4112.01