Gov. Josh Shapiro Signs Bill Banning Hair Discrimination': In a Moment, It Will Be Illegal'

"The CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act expands Pennsylvania's Human Relations Act to include hair texture and protective hairstyles under the definition of race, making any discrimination against hairstyles in schools or the workplace a criminal act in the same way as discrimination against skin color. For too long, many Pennsylvanians have faced discrimination simply for hairstyles that reflect their identity and culture."

"Look, we know that this is an issue which disproportionally affects Black Pennsylvanians who wear their hair in protective styles like locks and natural braids or twists and it can manifest itself in a number of different ways, from someone getting fired simply because of how they look, or maybe someone getting passed over for a job because of the way they wear their hair. That's unacceptable and in a moment, it will be illegal."

Pennsylvania expanded legal race protections to explicitly include hair texture and protective hairstyles, making hairstyle-based discrimination illegal in schools, workplaces, and places of business. The CROWN Act classifies discrimination against locks, braids, twists, and natural hair as equivalent to discrimination against skin color and creates criminal liability for such actions. The law addresses practices that disproportionately affect Black Pennsylvanians and aims to prevent firings, hiring denials, and other penalties tied to cultural and identity-linked hairstyles. The governor signed the measure amid supporters’ cheers, and it follows similar state CROWN Acts enacted since California passed the first in 2019.

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