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PA 21-2—HB 6515
Emergency Certification
AN ACT CREATING A RE SPECTFUL AND OPEN WO RLD FOR
NATURAL HAIR
SUMMARY: This act 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.
The act 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 act also applies to the laws that govern awarding agency, municipal
public works, and quasi-public agency project contracts.
Under the act, “protective hairstyles” include such things as wigs, headwraps,
and hairstyles such as individual braids, cornrows, locs, twists, Bantu knots, afros,
and afro puffs.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
BACKGROUND
Related Act
PA 21-2, JSS, § 405, adds hair and hairstyles to the definition of race in the
education statutes’ anti-discrimination law, conforming it to PA 21-2.