Suffolk County

UPDATE: Massachusetts House lawmakers pass bill banning hair discrimination

BOSTON, Mass. — The House passed legislation Thursday afternoon that would ban discrimination on the basis of a person’s natural hairstyle, including protective hairstyles like braids, locks, or twists.

It also bar schools from creating any policy that “impairs or prohibits” natural hairstyles.

The bill passed 155-0. It now has to go through the State Senate for deliberation.

If adopted, Massachusetts would be the 15th state to embrace language commonly referred to as CROWN Act.

The vote comes the same week the Biden administration said it supports the federal CROWN Act, that could see action on Capitol Hill soon.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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