summary
Introduced
04/16/2025
04/16/2025
In Committee
04/16/2025
04/16/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
126th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws So As To Enact The "crown Act"; By Amending Section 1-13-30, Relating To Definitions Pertaining To The State Human Affairs Commission So As To Define Traits Historically Associated With Race, Color, Or National Origin And To Provide That It Is Illegal To Discriminate Against An Individual On The Basis Of These Characteristics; By Amending Section 1-13-80, Relating To Unlawful Employment Practices, So As To Prohibit A Covered Employer From Discriminating Against An Individual On The Basis Of Race, Color, Or National Origin; By Adding Section 31-21-65 So As To Provide That It Is Unlawful To Discriminate In The Sale, Rental, Or Financing Of Housing, Or In Housing-related Services On The Basis Of Race, Color, Or National Origin; By Adding Section 45-9-11 So As To Provide That Is Unlawful For Any Owner, Operator, Or Employee Of A Place Of Public Accommodation To Deny Access Or Service On The Basis Of Race, Color, Or National Origin; And By Amending Section 59-63-40, Relating To Discrimination On Account Of Race, Creed, Color, Or National Origin, So As To Provide That A Public Or Charter School May Not Implement Policies Or Practices That Discriminate Against Students Based On The Basis Of Race, Color, Or National Origin.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the CROWN Act (Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair), expands legal protections against discrimination by explicitly defining "race," "color," and "national origin" to include traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hairstyles, and hair characteristics like braids, locs, twists, cornrows, Bantu knots, and afros. The bill amends several sections of South Carolina law to prohibit discrimination based on these hair-related characteristics in multiple areas, including employment, housing, public accommodations, and education. Specifically, it makes it unlawful for employers to discriminate against individuals based on these traits, for housing providers to deny services, for public accommodations to refuse access, and for schools to implement policies that discriminate against students because of their natural hair or hairstyles. The bill does provide some limited exceptions where hair-related regulations can be maintained if they are necessary for health and safety, applied consistently, and reasonable accommodations are made. The legislation aims to protect individuals, particularly Black Americans, from discrimination based on natural hair and hairstyles that are traditionally associated with racial identity. The act will take effect upon approval by the Governor.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Scrivener's error corrected (on 04/23/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=0584&session=126&summary=B |
| BillText | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/prever/584_20250423.htm |
| BillText | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/prever/584_20250416.htm |
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