Massachusetts Senate Unanimously Passes the CROWN Act

On Thursday, in formal session, the Senate voted to enact An Act prohibiting discrimination based on natural and protective hairstyles, otherwise known as the CROWN Act. As its name suggests, the bill is similar to that of the federally proposed CROWN Act, and will ban discrimination on the basis of a person’s natural hairstyle, including protective hairstyles like braids, locks, or twists.

It will also restrict schools from creating policies that “impairs or prohibits” natural hairstyles. Specifically, these measures will apply to private schools and athletic programs, as outlined in amendments filed Senator Cindy Creem and Senator Becca Rausch respectively.

As a co-sponsor of this legislation, I was so encouraged to see this legislation receive unanimous support to expand protections for self-expression in our schools and in the workforce.