AB 1815 California Protects Protective Hairstyles

AB 1815 amends the definition of race to remove the term “historically” from the CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act and Unruh Civil Rights Act. The bill also amends existing law to include braids, locs, and twists in the definition of “protective hairstyles.” Historically, Black people were restricted from wearing their locs, braids, and twists in the workplace, at school, in the military, and in sports leagues. Although the CROWN Act already addresses hair discrimination, this amendment will expand the hairstyles and textures that are protected. Changing these definitions makes employers change their policies on appearance and dress code and makes workplaces more inclusive.

Please contact your usual labor law counsel if you have any questions about this new legislation.