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7/2/2025
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Rhode Island adds protective hairstyles to racial discrimination law
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STATE HOUSE — Legislation introduced by Rep. Jennifer A. Stewart and Sen. Tiara T. Mack that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race by expanding the definition to include traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles, has become law.
The act (2025-H 5841, 2025-S 0519) is one of 15 that were identified by the Rhode Island Black, Latino, Indigenous, Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus as legislative priorities. It is nationally known as the CROWN Act, which is an acronym meaning “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.”
“While the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and our current statutes protect us against race-based discrimination, they do not explicitly protect against discrimination based on phenotypical markers that embody and convey race, such as hair texture and style,” said Representative Stewart (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket). “This has created a loophole whereby employers and schools can effectively engage in race-based discrimination. This involves more than what is considered beautiful or aesthetically pleasing. The discrimination and pressure to conform that Black and Brown people — especially women — face at school and in the workplace is very real. It’s about stereotypes and long-standing biases that can impede people’s life opportunities.”
A 2019 study by the Dove company found that Black women were disproportionately burdened by workplace policies and practices that single them out for natural hair styles —referring to the texture of hair that is not permed, dyed, relaxed or chemically altered. The study found that Black women are 1.5 times more likely to be sent home from the workplace because of their hair, 30% more likely to be made aware of a formal workplace appearance policy and 3.4 times more likely to have their hair viewed as unprofessional.
“Many women — especially Black women — face hair discrimination, and we’ve also seen this trickle down to our schools, where athletes have been banned from playing simply because of the way their hair grows out of their scalp,” said Senator Mack (D-Dist. 6, Providence). “As someone who wears natural hair — and has for over 15 years — I’m proud that this is a Black and Latino Caucus priority, and that we are finally joining the rest of New England and 27 other states across the country that have provided protection for natural hair.”
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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