The Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act seeks to amend the Revised Code to prohibit discrimination in public schools based on hair texture and protective hairstyles. The bill introduces a new section, 3319.48, which explicitly addresses discrimination related to traits associated with a student's race, including hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists. It establishes that no public school shall discriminate against students in any program or activity due to these traits and grants students the right to pursue civil action if they believe they have faced such discrimination.

Additionally, the bill repeals existing sections 3314.03, 3326.11, and 3328.24 of the Revised Code, ensuring that the new provisions are aligned with previous amendments. The CROWN Act emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and respect for diverse hair types and styles, aiming to create an educational environment that values cultural identities as expressed through hairstyles.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3314.03, 3326.11, 3328.24