Massachusetts Bans Race-Related Hair Bias at Work, School

Massachusetts banned workplace discrimination against protective hairstyles commonly worn by Black employees under a new law signed by Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday.

By enacting the measure (H.4554), Massachusetts joins 17 other states with laws that specifically ban discrimination based on race-related hairstyles or hair textures such as braids, locks, bantu knots, and head coverings. Advocates call these laws the CROWN Act, which stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.

• Massachusetts follows similar provisions in other state laws by banning race-related hair bias in workplaces and public schools. The Massachusetts measure’s supporters were motivated ...