SLS 20RS-112 ORIGINAL
2020 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 135
BY SENATOR CARTER
DISCRIMINATION. Prohibits race discrimination based on natural hairstyles. (8/1/20)
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 23:332 (I), relative to discrimination; to provide relative to discrimination in
3 employment; to provide certain prohibitions relative to discrimination based upon
4 hair texture or protective hairstyles; to provide for definitions; and to provide for
5 related matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 23:332 (I) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
8 ยง332. Intentional discrimination in employment
9 * * *
10 (I) For the purpose of this Section, the term "race" shall include traits
11 historically associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and
12 protective hairstyles. "Protective hairstyles" shall include but not be limited to
13 natural hairstyles, braids, locks, and twist.
Page 1 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 135
SLS 20RS-112 ORIGINAL
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Xavier I. Alexander.
DIGEST
SB 135 Original 2020 Regular Session Carter
Present law provides that it shall be unlawful for an employer to engage in discriminatory
practices based on an employee's race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
Proposed law retains present law and provides that race shall include traits historically
associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles. Also
provides that "protective hairstyles" includes but is not limited to, natural hairstyles, braids,
locks and twist.
Effective August 1, 2020.
(Adds R.S. 23:332(I))
Page 2 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.