Governor Josh Shapiro has signed the CROWN Act into law, explicitly banning discrimination based on hair texture and protective hairstyles across Pennsylvania. The law extends existing anti-discrimination protections to cover workplaces, schools and other public settings, making it illegal to treat natural styles—such as afros, braids, locs, twists and bantu knots—as unprofessional or as justification for discipline.
Supporters say the measure confronts a widespread but often overlooked form of race-based bias that disproportionately affects Black Pennsylvanians. By protecting natural hair and protective styles, advocates say the law will help students remain in school and workers keep their jobs without being forced to alter their hair to meet subjective standards.
The new statute brings Pennsylvania in line with other states that have adopted similar CROWN legislation aimed at preventing hair-based discrimination. Employers, schools and other institutions will need to review and update their policies to ensure compliance. Individuals who experience hair-related discrimination will have clearer legal avenues to challenge unfair treatment under the state’s anti-discrimination framework.
Officials and advocates described the signing as a move toward greater inclusion and equity, emphasizing that the change protects personal expression and reduces a common source of racial inequity in everyday life.