New York State Bans Race Discrimination Based on Hairstyle

New York state banned employers and school officials from discriminating against individuals based on hairstyles typically associated with race, such as braids, dreadlocks, cornrows, and naturally curly hair.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D) July 12 signed into law the measure (A.7797A/S.6209A) prohibiting racial discrimination based on “natural hair or hairstyles.”

“For much of our nation’s history, people of color—particularly women—have been marginalized and discriminated against simply because of their hair style or texture,” Cuomo said in a released statement announcing his actions. “By signing this bill into law, we are taking an important step toward correcting that history ...