The bill addresses the issue of racial discrimination based on hair texture and hairstyles historically associated with race. It acknowledges the historical context of equating "blackness" and associated physical traits with inferiority, and how this has influenced societal norms of professionalism. The bill recognizes that natural hair styles such as afros, braids, twists, and locks are often subject to discrimination in the workplace and other areas, which disproportionately affects Black individuals. It also notes that while Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, there is a lack of understanding that discrimination against hairstyles like braids, twists, and locks is also a form of racial discrimination.

To address this, the bill proposes amendments to the Civil Rights Act of 1990. It includes new legal language that expands the definition of "race or ethnicity" to encompass traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, twists, and more. The bill aims to provide clear legal standards to combat discrimination based on these traits in various contexts, including schools, workplaces, and housing. The bill would take effect immediately upon passage, reinforcing the state's commitment to fairness, equity, and opportunity for all, and moving away from enforcing Eurocentric standards of professionalism that exclude people based on their natural appearance.

Statutes affected:
5924: 42-112-1