Massachusetts students and employees with natural hair have faced continued discrimination from school and workplace regulations as controversy over what is considered a racial characteristic protected by law leaves natural hairstyles such as locks or afros or twists vulnerable to discrimination and anti-Black bias.
Currently the Massachusetts House passed legislation that would ban discrimination on the basis of a person’s natural hairstyle.
It also bar schools from creating any policy that “impairs or prohibits” natural hairstyles. The bill passed 155-0. It now has to go through the State Senate for deliberation.
If adopted, Massachusetts would be the 15th state to embrace language commonly referred to as CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair).
This legislation advances antidiscrimination on the basis of texture, style or appearance of a person’s hair.
Should you be experiencing hair discrimination in Massachusetts, contact the Law Offices of Renee Lazar at 978-84-4095 for a FREE one hour no obligation consultation.