summary
Introduced
10/21/2025
10/21/2025
In Committee
10/28/2025
10/28/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
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 against a student in the K-20 public education system; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 1002.20, F.S.; defining the terms "race" and "protected hairstyle" for purposes of public K-12 nondiscrimination requirements; amending s. 1002.421, F.S.; defining the terms "race" and "protected hairstyle" for purposes of antidiscrimination requirements for private schools participating in the state school choice scholarship program; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act, aims to prohibit discrimination based on hairstyles traditionally associated with race in Florida's public education system. The bill expands the definition of racial discrimination to include hair characteristics such as texture, type, and specific hairstyles like afros, braids, locks, and twists. It amends three sections of Florida Statutes to explicitly protect students from discrimination based on their natural hairstyles in K-20 public education and private schools participating in state school choice scholarship programs. The legislation ensures that students cannot be excluded from educational programs, denied benefits, or subjected to discriminatory practices because of their hair. By broadening the understanding of race to include hair-related traits, the bill seeks to prevent biased treatment of students based on hairstyles that are culturally significant to Black and other minority communities. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, giving institutions time to adjust their policies and practices to comply with the new anti-discrimination provisions.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (7)
Daryl Campbell (D)*,
Fentrice Driskell (D)*,
Anna Eskamani (D),
Ashley Gantt (D),
Rita Harris (D),
Mitch Rosenwald (D),
Debra Tendrich (D),
Last Action
1st Reading (Original Filed Version) (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
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.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/235 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/235/BillText/Filed/PDF |
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