Arizona House Bill HB2389

Arizona 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/23

Caption

Protective hairstyles; discrimination prohibited

Impact

The new provisions would amend Arizona's Revised Statutes, specifically targeting unlawful practices in employment and education. By enshrining the protection of hairstyles associated with race or ethnicity into law, the bill is expected to empower individuals facing discrimination in the workplace or educational institutions. This legislative change signals a shift towards greater inclusion and acceptance of diverse cultural practices within the state's legal framework.

Summary

House Bill 2389 seeks to prohibit discrimination against individuals based on their protective hairstyles, which include styles such as braids, locks, and twists. The bill aims to make it unlawful for employers and educational institutions to discriminate based on these hairstyles, thereby promoting equality and respect for cultural identity. This initiative comes amid growing recognition of the importance of cultural expression through hairstyles, especially within communities of color.

Contention

While advocates argue that the bill is a necessary step towards reducing bias in professional and educational settings, there may be concerns regarding the enforcement of such provisions. Questions may arise about the adequacy of the legal definitions provided and whether they sufficiently cover all possible instances of discrimination. Moreover, opponents of similar measures in other jurisdictions have sometimes cited fears of increased litigation or challenges in establishing discrimination cases, which could complicate the implementation of this law.