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Pennsylvania has officially joined the growing number of jurisdictions prohibiting discrimination based on hair type, styles, and textures and some hair coverings.
On Nov. 25, 2025, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed House Bill No. 439, the “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act.” The CROWN Act amends the definition of “race” and “religious creed” in the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) and prohibits discrimination based on hair types, styles, and textures that are associated with race, as well as head coverings associated with certain religions. The amendment goes into effect on Jan. 24, 2026.
Pennsylvania’s CROWN Act is by no means unique. More than 20 states and cities have adopted CROWN Act-style protections. Moreover, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission had already recognized these protections in its guidance. According to Gov. Shapiro, hair-based racial discrimination has been the source of many complaints — more than 900 in 2022 alone.
The amendment broadens two key PHRA statutory...
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