Gov. signed into law a bill prohibiting race-based hair discrimination in Texas workplaces, schools and housing policies.
, introduced by Democratic Rep. of Rowlett, of the Legislature with overwhelming support after the during the legislative session in 2021. The policy, which Abbott signed Saturday, will go into effect Sept. 1.
Twenty states have passed the CROWN Act 鈥� an acronym for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, according to the , an organization that champions the legislation. Harris County, the state鈥檚 most populous, and the city of Austin have adopted versions of the legislation.
鈥淚 am incredibly thankful to the Governor for signing the CROWN Act into law,鈥� Bowers said in a statement, thanking Sen. , a Houston Democrat who sponsored the bill in the Senate, and Adjoa B. Asamoah, who co-founded the CROWN Coalition. 鈥淭he CROWN Act is a civil rights law that will improve the lives of countless Texans, and it will be appreciated by more people than we can imagine.鈥�
Asamoah, who conceptualized the law in 2018, said she was 鈥渙verjoyed.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 forever grateful for the servant leadership of Representative Bowers and Senator Miles,鈥� Asamoah said. 鈥淭hey both embody what it means to lead boldly and commit to ushering a bill across the finish line.鈥�
The movement against natural hair discrimination reached national headlines in 2020 with a series of instances, including who were told to cut their hair or be disciplined.