Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Mayes, McClinton: PA CROWN Act clears committee

Mayes, McClinton: PA CROWN Act clears committee

Bill to end hair discrimination sees new life in new session

HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – State Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes and House Speaker Joanna McClinton announced today the PA CROWN Act has advanced out of the House State Government Committee by a vote of 22-4 following its reintroduction for the 2025-26 Legislative Session.

“In Pennsylvania, it is currently legal for a person to be denied employment, schooling, and other public or social accommodations based on their hairstyle,” said Mayes, D-Allegheny. “This is outright discrimination, and we know it disproportionately affects Black Pennsylvanians. It is long past time for us to pass the CROWN Act and prevent Pennsylvanians from being targeted, harassed, and denied access to opportunities based on their hair.”

“Pennsylvania needs to pass the CROWN Act to finally end hair discrimination. It is long overdue, and if states like Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas can ban hair discrimination, so can we,” said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. “The good news is the state House passed the CROWN ACT with overwhelming bipartisan support in the last session, and I am confident we can garner the same support this term.”

The CROWN Act (now H.B. 439) would amend the PA Human Relations Act to prohibit discrimination based on a person’s hair type, hair texture, or hairstyle.

In the previous legislative session, the CROWN Act passed the House 182-21 but was never brought up for a vote in the Senate State Government Committee. Twenty seven other states have created laws to protect individuals from hair discrimination.