The proposed bill seeks to amend the Code of West Virginia by adding a new section, 5-11-22, which addresses discrimination based on hairstyle and hair texture. It defines impermissible discrimination to include biases against hair textures and protective hairstyles that are historically associated with individuals who have genetically textured hair. The bill outlines what constitutes protective hairstyles, including braids, locks, afros, curls, and twists, and emphasizes the need to end the disparate impact of neutral policies on these groups.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that institutional policies affecting textured hair must be balanced against legitimate safety concerns, ensuring that any restrictions apply equally to individuals with and without textured hair. It provides a framework for plaintiffs to challenge such restrictions by demonstrating that safety hazards are either mitigable, non-existent, or merely a pretext for discriminatory behavior. Overall, the bill aims to clarify and expand the definition of impermissible discrimination to include considerations of hairstyle and texture.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5-11-22