CROWN Act Gains Momentum: Becomes Law in VA & CO

The CROWN Coalition, the official national supporters of the CROWN Act movement; an alliance founded by Dove, National Urban League, Western Center on Law & Poverty and Color Of Change, along with over 50 CROWN Act supporting organizations are thrilled to announce the Commonwealth of Virginia and the state of Colorado as the latest states to enact the CROWN Act.   This important law will prohibit hair discrimination against anyone based on the texture of their hair, hair type, protective hairstyles like braids, locs and twists.

In Virginia, Senator Lionell Spruill Sr. and Delegate Delores L. McQuinn, introduced SB 50/HB 1514 as the Virginia Human Rights Act.  Governor Northam signed the bill into law on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 making the Commonwealth of Virginia the fourth state to make hair discrimination illegal.  On February 4, 2020, SB 50 passed unanimously on the Senate Floor with a vote of 40-0 and HB 1514 passed the House floor with a vote of 71-26 on February 21, 2020.  SB 50 and HB 1514 are identical bills.

Introduced in Colorado by Representatives Leslie Herod, Janet Buckner, and state Senator Rhonda Fields, Colorado is now the fifth state to pass the bill.  The CROWN Act (HB20-1048) prohibits discrimination based on a person's traits that are historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hair type and protective hairstyles, including locs and braids.  On February 12, 2020, the bill passed in the House with a vote of 42-21. It then passed in the Senate on February 28, 2020 with a 23-11 vote.  Governor Jared Polis officially signed the bill into law on Friday, March 6, 2020.

In addition to Virginia and Colorado passing The CROWN Act during the week of March 2nd, Connecticut, Illinois and Maryland held legislative hearings and Ohio introduced similar legislation.

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