House passes PA CROWN Act to end hair discrimination
Lawmakers cast strong bipartisan vote for Mayes, McClinton bill
Rep. La'Tasha D. Mayes March 17, 2025 | 4:48 PM
HARRISBURG, March 17 – Legislation to prohibit discrimination based on hair and hairstyles passed the state House today by a vote of 194-8, announced the bill’s authors state Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes and House Speaker Joanna McClinton.
“Today we take another significant step towards ending race-based discrimination in our commonwealth and creating a respectful and open world for natural hair,” said Mayes, D-Allegheny. “It is shameful that such a basic protection has still not been codified into our state law after years of legislative action. No one should face discrimination for wearing their hair as it naturally grows from their head or in protective styles such as locs, braids or cornrows. The CROWN Act deserves an immediate vote from the state Senate to protect our workers, students, and other members of the public from this insidious type of discrimination.”
“When I first introduced the CROWN Act in 2020, people told me it would never pass; but now it has passed the House in two consecutive legislative sessions with more support each time,” said McClinton, D-Phila./Delaware. “Advocates and lawmakers have fought tirelessly for its passage, and our momentum has never been stronger, and the need has never been greater. I’m hopeful that 2025 is the year that Pennsylvania shows the world that discrimination of any kind is not ok in the Keystone State, and we can get the CROWN Act signed into law.”
The PA CROWN Act (H.B. 439) would amend the PA Human Relations Act to prohibit discrimination based on a person’s hair type, hair texture, or hairstyle. The bill would still allow employers to adopt rules related to workplace health and safety.
In the previous legislative session, the CROWN Act passed the House 182-21 but was never brought up for a vote in the Senate State Government Committee. Following the bill’s passage today, it has again been referred to the same committee.
Dr. Adjoa B. Asamoah, national CROWN Act Coalition leader said, “The statutory protection the CROWN Act provides is critically important, and I applaud the PA House for passing this bill. Redressing racial discrimination against natural hair and protective styles requires our collective efforts, and I am grateful for the leadership of and partnership with Rep. Mayes, Speaker McClinton, and Senator Hughes.”
Twenty seven other states have created similar laws to protect individuals from hair discrimination.