PHILADELPHIA, PA — In a landmark move that places Pennsylvania among a growing list of states expanding civil rights protections, Governor Josh Shapiro on Tuesday signed the CROWN Act into law, formally banning discrimination based on natural hair texture and protective hairstyles across the Commonwealth.
The legislation, HB 439, amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act by broadening the legal definition of “race” to include traits historically associated with racial and cultural identity — such as locs, braids, twists, coils, Bantu knots, afros, and religious styles. With the signature, Pennsylvania becomes the nation’s 28th state to enact such protections.
Governor Shapiro, surrounded by lawmakers, advocates, and business leaders at Island Design Natural Hair Studio in Philadelphia, called the measure a critical step toward ensuring equal opportunity.
“Real freedom means being respected for who you are — no matter what you look like, where you come from, who you love, or who you pray to,” Shapiro said, condemning a long history of discrimination tied to personal appearance. “For too long, many Pennsylvanians have faced discrimination simply for hairstyles that reflect their identity and culture — that ends today.”
House Speaker Joanna McClinton and Representative La’Tasha Mayes, both key champions of the measure, stood alongside the Governor during the signing. McClinton stressed the real-world barriers many Pennsylvanians face, from job interviews to advancement opportunities.
“They will not look at your hair and decide you can’t work here,” McClinton said. “They will not look at your hair and decide you don’t belong in this C-suite.”
The urgency behind the bill was underscored by data from the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, showing 916 complaints in 2022 alone involving racial discrimination related to hair texture and protective styles.
Advocates say the law will deliver especially meaningful protections in schools and workplaces. Dr. Adjoa B. Asamoah, a national CROWN Act leader, pointed to the disproportionate harm faced by Black children and adults — from school suspensions to rescinded job offers.
“With an undeniable correlation between the use of chemical relaxers and the increased likelihood of developing uterine fibroids and cancer — the cost of conformity is simply too expensive,” she said.
The signing also builds on broader equity efforts advanced under the Shapiro administration. Those include eliminating licensing requirements for natural hair braiders, cutting turnaround times for business filings, and boosting state contracts with Black- and Latino-owned businesses by 45 percent. Pennsylvania has also exceeded $1 billion in contracts with small and diverse businesses for two consecutive years.
Local business owner Lorraine Ruley, whose hair studio hosted the event, spoke emotionally about clients who felt forced to alter or cut their natural hair to secure employment.
“The experience has been really heartbreaking… so the CROWN Act is very important to me,” she said.
Supporters say the new law sends a clear signal: Pennsylvania is committed to protecting identity, expanding opportunity, and ensuring no resident is penalized for embracing their natural hair.
The CROWN Act takes its place among the Commonwealth’s most consequential anti-discrimination measures, marking a decisive shift toward broader civil rights protections across Pennsylvania.
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