LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Senate voted Tuesday to ban discrimination against race-based hairstyles, moving one step closer to joining 20 other states that have already enacted policies known as the CROWN Act.
The bill, which passed 33-5, would amend Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to specify that racial discrimination focused on "hair texture and protective hairstyles" is prohibited in employment decisions, housing and schools.
The acronym CROWN stands for "Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair." "Protective hairstyles" include braids, locks and twists, according to the language of the bill.
