LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – In early June, the Michigan House of Representatives voted to pass a bill that would protect Michiganders in the workplace from discrimination based on their natural hair. 

The legislation, Senate Bill 90, was reintroduced by the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Senator Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) originally in 2019, passed 100-7 in Michigan’s lower house. 

MORE NEWS: Michigan Has More Teachers and Fewer Students During Teacher Shortage

“I am proud to announce that the CROWN Act has passed through both chambers of the Michigan legislature with bipartisan support,” said Sen. Anthony. “When I first introduced this legislation in 2019, it was shelved, and I was told that we needed to prioritize ‘more important’ issues. I can think of nothing more important than prohibiting legalized racial discrimination in school and the workplace.”  

To help further provide information for the public, and provide an outlet for individuals to share about their stories of hair discrimination, Sen. Anthony launched the micrownact.com website. 

“The CROWN Act, which stands for ‘Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,’ would prohibit race-based hair discrimination, or the denial of employment and educational opportunities because of hair texture or protective hairstyles including, but not limited to, braids, locs, twists, or bantu knots,” according to a website launched by Senator Anthony. 

Other supporters such as Senator Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit), called embracing natural hair “an essential part of affirming the humanity and dignity of all individuals.” 

“With our collective effort to dismantle entrenched biases, challenge discriminatory policies, and create inclusive spaces—including today’s vote—we move closer to building a society that values and respects the inherent beauty of every individual, regardless of their hair texture or cultural background.” 

According to micrownact, as of February 1, 2023, there are twenty states and several municipalities that have passed the CROWN Act to provide legal protections against race-based hair discrimination in workplaces and schools. 

MORE NEWS: Trump Takes Michigan

Besides Illinois, Nebraska, and Minnesota, there are no other Midwestern states besides Michigan to have enacted CROWN Act legislation.  There are local governments in Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin that have passed laws prohibiting discrimination based on hairstyle and texture.  

From a national point of view, it passed the US House chamber with bipartisan support, but failed in December 2022 to gain enough support in the US Senate.