Central PA Delegation calls on PA Senate to take action to end hair discrimination in the state by passing the Crown Act
The group was prompted by a recent incident that occurred at a school in Dauphin County where a student was discriminated against over rules about hair length
Central PA Delegation October 1, 2024 | 3:50 PM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – After a recent incident where leaders of a Catholic School in Penbrook, Dauphin County, allegedly concluded that the hair length of a 5-year-old student violated the student conduct policies of the institution, members of the Central Pa Delegation today said episodes like this must force the PA Senate to take action and help end hair discrimination in the state by passing the Crown Act.
Delegation Chair state Rep. Manuel Guzman Jr. explained that the group condemns any form of discrimination based on a person’s hair type, hair texture or hairstyle in the state and emphasized the need for the Senate to pass H.B. 1394 (The Pennsylvania CROWN Act), legislation that has been stuck in the Senate for more than a year and a half. The bill passed the PA House of Representatives on an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 182-21 on July 7, 2023.
“This incident exemplifies one of the million reasons why the Senate needs to stop the arbitrary delays, face the elephant in the room and provide hair discrimination protections in Pennsylvania. This is certainly one of many ways we can better the quality of life in our communities,” said Guzman about the act, which is modeled on and inspired by the National CROWN Coalition and its ongoing efforts to pass a federal CROWN Act.
“Today we are talking about a 5-year-old student, but on a regular basis we also hear of stories of explicit and implicit bias where individuals from all walks of life are denied access to opportunities simply based on their hair type or hairstyle,” Guzman said.
“The way a person chooses to wear their hair is an essential part of their identity, their being. Parents are forced to figure out how to explain to their kids that there is something wrong with the way they look, that the length or the texture of their hair is not appropriate because it doesn’t fit the standards of a particular group of people.
“We cannot accept the inaction of the Senate. Our delegation is determined to continue pushing for the long-awaited passage of this bill. What’s holding the Senate from doing the right thing and get this bill to the finish line? The Senate has no valid reasons to put forward; it’s just lack of care, lack of empathy. We are not backing down on this; it’s time to pass the CROWN Act.”
CROWN stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.