Bill > HB250

This bill amends Missouri state law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on race, with a specific focus on hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists. The legislation applies to educational institutions receiving state financial assistance or serving students who receive state student financial aid, preventing these institutions from discriminating against individuals based on hair-related characteristics associated with race. The bill defines key terms, including expanding the definition of "race" to encompass hair-related traits and introducing terms like "protective hairstyles" and "state financial assistance." Notably, the bill includes an exemption for educational institutions controlled by religious organizations if applying the anti-discrimination provisions would conflict with their religious tenets. By adding these provisions to existing state statutes, the bill aims to protect individuals, particularly those from racial minority groups, from discrimination related to natural hair and traditional cultural hairstyles in educational settings.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB250&year=2025&code=R