Bill > S154

This bill, known as the North Carolina CROWN (Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act, expands employment discrimination protections to include hair-related characteristics historically associated with race. Specifically, the bill amends existing labor laws to prohibit employers from denying employment, refusing to hire, or firing employees based on their natural hair texture, type, or protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, twists, and bantu knots. The legislation broadens the definition of racial discrimination to explicitly cover these hair-related traits, which have traditionally been used to discriminate against Black employees. Additionally, the bill updates existing anti-retaliation provisions to ensure that employees who file complaints or participate in investigations related to this new protection are legally safeguarded against employer retaliation. The act becomes effective immediately upon becoming law and applies to all employers, employees, and prospective employees, providing a legal framework to protect individuals from hair-based discrimination in the workplace.

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S154