Crown Act Passes Minnesota House

(KNSI) – With broad bipartisan support, the Minnesota House passed legislation that would make it illegal to discriminate against someone because of their hairstyle. The CROWN Act, or Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, would add hairstyle and texture to a provision in the Minnesota Human Rights Act that prohibits racial discrimination in housing, employment, and education.

Representative Lisa Demuth from Cold Spring voted in favor of the legislation. She says the adjustment to the current law was needed. “The Crown Act is stating that natural hair textures or styles can’t be used as a way of discrimination. This is already covered under the Minnesota Human Rights Act, but there have been stories both in Minnesota and in other states, where people have been discriminated. It’s an area that doesn’t always rise up to the judicial system.”

Fourteen states have enacted similar laws, according to the CROWN Coalition. Research from the coalition indicates more than 85% of black teens who experience discrimination based on their hair say the actions started by the age of 12. 53% of black mothers say their daughters have experienced discrimination as early as age five.

The Minnesota Senate has received the legislation, and it is currently being reviewed in the Civil Law and Data Practices Policy Committee.

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