CROWN Act of 2025
CROWN Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# CROWN Act of 2025 Summary **What It Would Do** The CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act) would make it illegal to discriminate against people based on their hair texture or hairstyle if that style is commonly associated with a particular race or ethnicity. The ban would apply to employment, housing, education, federally funded programs, and public spaces. Violations would be enforced through existing civil rights laws, similar to how race and national origin discrimination are already handled. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** This bill primarily affects Black Americans and other people of color, as it specifically targets discrimination against natural hairstyles like braids, locs, twists, and coils that are culturally associated with these groups. The law would protect students in schools, workers in jobs, people seeking housing, and participants in federally assisted programs.
It essentially expands existing civil rights protections to explicitly cover hair-based discrimination, which has been an issue in some workplaces and schools. **Current Status** The bill is currently in committee (HR 1638 in the 119th Congress), sponsored by Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ). This means it has been introduced but has not yet advanced to a full House vote.
CRS Official Summary
Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act of 2025 or the CROWN Act of 2025This bill prohibits discrimination based on a person's hair texture or hairstyle if that style or texture is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. Specifically, the bill prohibits this type of discrimination against those participating in federally assisted programs, housing programs, public accommodations, and employment.Persons shall not be deprived of equal rights under the law and shall not be subjected to prohibited practices based on their hair texture or style.The bill provides for enforcement procedures under the applicable laws (e.g., the Civil Rights Act of 1964).
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.