Governor Shapiro signs Mayes’ PA CROWN Act into Law
Rep. La'Tasha D. Mayes November 25, 2025
State Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes’ landmark legislation to prohibit race-based discrimination based on hair type, texture or style has been signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro.
The Pennsylvania CROWN Act (H.B. 439), introduced by Mayes, D-Allegheny, and House Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Phila., passed the PA House in March with overwhelming bipartisan support, 194-8, and went on to pass the state Senate this month, 44-3.
House Bill 439 is Mayes’ first piece of legislation to be sent to the governor’s desk to become law since she became a state representative in 2022. It had been introduced four times since 2018; Mayes introduced her version of the bill in 2023 and 2025.
“Today is the day that we make herstory in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Today, natural hair is protected under the law -- every coil, every kink, every curl,” said Mayes, “The Pennsylvania CROWN Act is a major victory for not only Black Pennsylvanians, but for all Pennsylvanians. Hair discrimination is real, and with the signing of this bill into law, we begin to remove significant barriers to work, school and community simply because of how a person’s hair grows naturally out of their head. We are changing the future of our Commonwealth, expanding economic and social opportunity, and restoring hopes and dreams with the Pennsylvania CROWN Act.”
The bill updates the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to include race-based hair discrimination under the pre-existing code that prohibits discrimination because on race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age or national origin by employers, employment agencies, labor organizations and others.
Multiple states have passed similar laws to protect people from hair discrimination, and Pennsylvania will now join that list.
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CONTACT: Molly Peters
House Democratic Communications Office
Phone: 717-787-7895
Email: mpeters@pahouse.net
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