Initial hearing on CROWN Act is Tuesday, March 26
SACRAMENTO –The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 will begin consideration of a new bill introduced by Sen. Holly J. Mitchell, D-Los Angeles, to end decades of racial discrimination based on hairstyles.
The hearing is expected to begin at 1:30 p.m. in Room 112 of the Capitol.
Senate Bill 188 would amend the Fair Employment and Housing Act to prohibit employers from enforcing purportedly “race neutral” grooming policies that disproportionately impact persons of color.
While federal anti-discrimination laws explicitly defend the choice to wear an afro, they are silent with regard to braids, locs, and twists, known collectively as “protective hairstyles,” and commonly worn by Black women and men.
SB 188 is the first of a multi-state campaign to shield persons wearing protective hairstyles from workplace discrimination. It is sponsored by The CROWN Coalition, a national alliance comprised of the National Urban League, Western Center on Law & Poverty, Color Of Change and Dove.
For more information on SB 188, the CROWN Act, click here for the Fact Sheet; click here to see the actual legislation.
Sen. Mitchell is chair of the Senate Budget Committee. A member of the Legislature since 2010, Mitchell represents nearly 1 million residents of Senate District 30, which includes Culver City and much of Los Angeles. See a map of Mitchell’s district that includes a demographic breakdown of its residents and more HERE. More at www.senate.ca.gov/Mitchell
