Congress Revives Bipartisan Effort to Ban Hair Discrimination

A bipartisan push to ban hair discrimination has been reintroduced in Congress with the CROWN Act of 2025. The bill, led by Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) in the House and Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Susan Collins (R-ME) in the Senate, aims to prohibit race-based hair discrimination in federally assisted programs, workplaces, schools, and public accommodations. It specifically protects natural hairstyles like locs, braids, twists, and Afros.

Watson Coleman emphasized that hair discrimination is an extension of racism that affects Black and Brown individuals, particularly students and workers. The bill previously passed the House in 2022 but failed in the Senate due to Republican opposition, including concerns about workplace safety.

Currently, 25 states have passed similar legislation, but federal protection remains uncertain, especially under the Trump administration’s rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Despite the challenge, supporters hope to secure Republican backing and ensure that natural hair is respected as a fundamental right.

Source: NPR