CS for SB 496
WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE
2024 REGULAR SESSION
Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 496
By Senators Caputo, Woelfel, and Trump [Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary;
reported February 23, 2024]
 CS for SB 496
1 A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section,
2 designated §5-11-21, relating to clarifying that racial discrimination includes discrimination
3 based on certain hair textures and hairstyles historically associated with a particular race;
4 and defining term.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
ARTICLE 11. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION.
§5-11-21. Racial discrimination based on certain hair textures and hairstyles; definitions.
1 (a) For the purposes of this article, discrimination based on race includes, but is not limited
2 to, discrimination based on hair textures and protective hairstyles historically associated with a
3 particular race.
4 (b) The term "protective hairstyles" includes, but is not limited to, hairstyles such as braids,
5 locks, and twists.
1 1


Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5-11-22
Committee Substitute: 5-11-21