Pennsylvania has joined 27 other states across the country in officially prohibiting discrimination based on a person’s hair type, texture or style.
On Tuesday, Nov. 25, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro joined fellow lawmakers at Island Design Natural Hair Studio in West Philadelphia to sign House Bill 439 — or, Pennsylvania’s version of The CROWN Act — which is legislation intended to ban discrimination in schools and the workplace based on hairstyles.
The bill, Shapiro said, would help address an issue that disproportionately impacts Black Pennsylvanians who wear their hair in “protected styles like locks, natural braids or twists.”
“To build a Pennsylvania that respects you for who you are, no matter what you look like, where you come from, who you love or who you pray to. That is what we are collectively building here in the Commonwealth,” Shapiro said, calling the move a step towards “real freedom” for all residents of the state.
He said it is unacceptable that some people can face discrimination for their hairstyle, “just because someone thinks they don’t look ‘professional.’”
“With The CROWN Act, I hope that more Pennsylvanians know that, here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, their government has got their backs,” said Shapiro. “Now, if they endure discrimination based on who they are or what they look like or how they wear their hair, they will be fully protected under the nondiscrimination laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
Lorraine Ruley, the owner of Island Design Natural Hair Studio, where Shapiro signed the bill, said that she has long heard from customers that they needed to make changes to their hairstyles because of issues at school or in their workplace.
“They say, it’s unprofessional to have locks, and I’m like wow,” said Ruley. “I just want to say, natural hair rocks.”
With the governor’s signature, Pennsylvania becomes the 28th state to enforce this legislation intended to protect those who wear natural hairstyles — like afros, cornrows or tightly coiled twists — from discrimination.
Joanna McClinton (D-191st dist.) and speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, brought her goddaughter, Lorel, to the event, wanting to show her how hard work can make real change for the people of the state.
In fact, she said, just three weeks ago, she introduced Lorel to fellow lawmakers, in talking about the effort to pass The CROWN Act.
“I said, this is Lorel, she wears beautiful locks and before she’s old enough to apply for a job, I hope we can change the law in Pennsylvania,” she recalled, noting the young girl’s support in her advocacy.
Lawmakers have said such discrimination is a violation of federal civil rights.
The CROWN Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” is law in nearby New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Delaware, as well.
In 2019, California became the first state in the nation to pass The Crown Act.
According to organizers behind the act, a federal version of The CROWN Act was reintroduced before the House of Representatives by Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ).
The CROWN Act initially passed on a vote of 235 to 189 in March 2023. The bill also passed in the house in 2022.
On May 1, 2024, the measure was reintroduced to the Senate by Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ).
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