CROWN Act of 2025: New Bill Bans Hair Discrimination Nationwide

The "Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act of 2025," or the CROWN Act of 2025, aims to ban discrimination based on hair texture and style across several key areas: federally funded programs, housing, public spaces, and employment. This means no more being denied opportunities because of how your hair naturally grows or how you choose to style it in protective ways, like locs, cornrows, braids, Bantu knots, or Afros. The bill specifically targets discrimination rooted in the idea that certain hairstyles are inherently linked to a particular race or national origin (SEC. 2).

Hair Today, Rights Tomorrow

The CROWN Act builds on existing civil rights laws. It doesn't redefine "race" or "national origin", but it makes it crystal clear that discriminating against someone because of their hair is a form of racial or national origin discrimination, which is already illegal (SEC. 8). Think of it this way: if someone is denied a job or apartment because of their hairstyle, and that hairstyle is closely associated with their race, that's now explicitly illegal under federal law.

• Federally Assisted Programs (SEC. 3): If a program gets federal money, it can't discriminate based on hair. This is enforced the same way as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
• Housing (SEC. 4): Landlords and housing providers can't deny you a place to live because of your hair. Violations are treated as discriminatory housing practices under the Fair Housing Act.
• Public Accommodations (SEC. 5): Businesses and public spaces can't refuse service based on hair. This uses the same enforcement as Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
• Employment (SEC. 6): Employers, employment agencies, and labor unions are all covered. They can't discriminate in hiring, firing, or any other employment practices based on hair. This falls under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Real-World Locks and Blocks

Imagine a teacher being told they can't wear their hair in locs, or a construction worker being denied a promotion because of their braids. Under the CROWN Act, those situations would be illegal. The bill acknowledges that hair discrimination has historically been used to deny opportunities, particularly to people of African descent (SEC. 2).

The practical challenge? Proving that a specific instance of discrimination was because of someone's hair. The bill doesn't create new enforcement mechanisms; it relies on the existing framework of civil rights laws. However, by explicitly including hair texture and style, it gives individuals a stronger legal leg to stand on if they face this type of discrimination.

This bill is a straightforward step toward ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of their hair. It fits into the larger picture of protecting civil rights and combating race-based discrimination in all its forms.