Highlights

• Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on July 26, 2022, signed into law the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act (CROWN Act), prohibiting discrimination against employees, students and other individuals based on their natural or protective hairstyle.
• By enacting the CROWN Act, Massachusetts joins 17 other states that have enacted similar protections, and similar legislation is being considered at the federal level as well. The laws are generally intended to protect against discrimination based on hairstyles that are historically associated with someone's race.
• Employers and schools should review and update their equal employment opportunity (EEO) and nondiscrimination policies to include the new protected class, examine hiring and screening practices, and consider whether any changes are needed to uniform, dress code or appearance policies.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on July 26, 2022, signed into law the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act (CROWN Act), prohibiting discrimination against employees, students and other individuals based on their natural or protective hairstyle.

The law was inspired by twin sisters who were disciplined by their charter high school in 2017 for wearing their hair in braids with long extensions, which school administrators said violated school policy. Supporters of the law have advocated that Black women in particular have faced pressure, both in school and the workplace, to alter their...

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