Texas employers: Starting September 1, 2023, Texas law will prohibit discrimination because of, or on the basis of, an employee’s hair texture or protective hairstyle associated with race.
Under the new law, called the CROWN Act, “protective hairstyle” is defined to include braids, locks, and twists. The CROWN Act further specifies that it will be “an unlawful employment practice if the employer, labor union, or employment agency adopts or enforces a dress or grooming policy that discriminates against a hair texture or protective hairstyle commonly or historically associated with race.”
The new Texas law follows in the footsteps of states such as California and New York, which already have similar laws on the books. Harris County and the city of Austin in Texas have already adopted similar versions of the legislation.
Texas employers should review their policies on dress, grooming, and appearance, and update such policies as needed to ensure that they are in compliance with the new law before it goes into effect in September 2023.