Ohio House bill to ban hair discrimination passes committee despite opposition from three bald Republicans

Ohio House Bill 178, or Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act (CROWN), passed out of the Ohio House Civil Justice Committee with a 9-3 vote on Tuesday.

This legislation, a significant move combating prejudice, aims to prohibit discrimination based on natural hair, “including hair texture and protective styles such as braids, locks, and twists” in employment, housing, and public K-12 schools. Under the proposed law, individuals who believe they have faced discrimination from a school under this basis would have the right to sue in court with jurisdiction.

State Rep. Juanita O. Brent (D-Cleveland) has introduced CROWN Act legislation in three consecutive General Assemblies. However, this is the first time it has successfully moved out of committee. Brent introduced the current bipartisan bill with state Rep. Jamie Callender (R-Concord).

Despite the approval, the bill faced opposition from Republican state Reps. Gary Click, Al Cutrona and Brian Stewart, who all voted against it.

Ironically, all three representatives who voted against the bill are bald. X user Ohio Legislative Watch first posted about the irony.

the three guys that voted against the bill about hair: https://t.co/ije9hf7tXI pic.twitter.com/RwYr7TlEv0

— Ohio Legislative Watch (@OhioLegisWatch) June 6, 2024