Rhode Island House Bill H7706

Rhode Island 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/2/22
• Refer: 3/2/22

Caption

The Civil Rights Act Of 1990 -- The Crown Act

Impact

Should this bill pass, it is expected to have significant implications for state laws governing discrimination. By explicitly including hair texture and hairstyles within the definitions of race and ethnicity, H7706 reinforces the legal protections granted to individuals against unjust grooming policies. These changes aim to provide stronger recourse for individuals who face economic and social penalties stemming from such discriminatory practices, thereby promoting greater equity in employment and educational opportunities across various sectors.

Summary

House Bill H7706, also known as The Crown Act, aims to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1990 to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on hair texture and hairstyles commonly associated with racial and ethnic identities. This legislative effort acknowledges the ongoing struggles with racial equity in the United States, particularly as they pertain to how individuals of African, Jewish, Latinx, and Native American descent may be treated in professional and educational settings. The bill seeks to create clearer legal standards for addressing race discrimination, particularly in contexts where grooming policies have historically disadvantaged individuals based on their natural hair.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding H7706 involves the framing of professionalism itself. Critics of current grooming standards argue that these standards are often Eurocentric and reinforce systemic racism. Proponents of the bill suggest that it is necessary to challenge these established norms to create a more inclusive society, while opponents may view it as an unnecessary intervention into private sector policies. The success of the bill may hinge on balancing respect for individual expression with the need for organizations to maintain certain standards.