Researcher: JM Page 1 2/24/21
OLR Bill Analysis
HB 6515
Emergency Certification
AN ACT CREATING A RESPECTFUL AND OPEN WORLD FOR
NATURAL HAIR.
SUMMARY
This bill makes it an illegal practice to (1) discriminate based on a
person’s hair texture and protective hairstyle in employment, public
accommodations, housing, credit practices, union membership, and
state agency practices or (2) deprive any person of any rights secured
or protected by the Connecticut Constitution or the United States
Constitution. It does so by specifying that the term "race" includes
ethnic traits historically associated with race, including hair texture
and protective hairstyles.
Under the bill, “protective hairstyles” include wigs, headwraps, and
hairstyles such as individual braids, cornrows, locs, twists, Bantu
knots, afros, and afro puffs.
It adds this protection to those afforded under the existing human
rights law under the jurisdiction of the Commission on Human Rights
and Opportunities (CHRO). CHRO has the authority to investigate
complaints of discriminatory practices. The bill also applies to the laws
that govern the awarding of agency, municipal public works, and
quasi-public agency project contracts.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage