Bill > H1253

Introduced Session

An act relating to prohibited discrimination based on hairstyle; providing a short title; amending s. 1000.05, F.S.; defining the term "protected hairstyle"; prohibiting discrimination based on protected hairstyle in the Florida K-20 public education system; amending ss. 1002.20 and 1002.421, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; providing an effective date. WHEREAS, the history of our nation is riddled with laws and societal norms that characterized "blackness" and its associated physical traits as inferior to European physical features, and WHEREAS, this idea also permeates a societal understanding of professionalism that was, and still is, closely linked to European features and mannerisms, which entails that those who do not naturally conform to Eurocentric norms must alter their appearance to meet such norms in order to be considered professional, and WHEREAS, hair has been, and remains, a rampant source of racial discrimination that has caused serious economic and health ramifications, and WHEREAS, school dress code policies that prohibit natural hair, including afros, and certain hairstyles, such as braids, twists, and locks, have a disparate impact on black students as hb1253-00 HB 1253 these policies are more likely to burden or punish black students compared to other groups, and WHEREAS, federal courts accept that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, and therefore protects against discrimination against the natural presentation of black hair, including afros, braids, twists, and locks, NOW, THEREFORE,

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Kamia Brown (D)*,  Fentrice Driskell (D), 

Died in Secondary Education & Career Development Subcommittee (on 03/14/2022)

Official Document