Bill banning hair discrimination based on race advances in Texas House

AUSTIN — Discrimination based on hair texture or coiffure related to race might be unlawful in Texas underneath a invoice that complex in the House Wednesday.

Garland Democratic Rep. Rhetta Bowers is sporting the proposal known as the CROWN Act which bars racial discrimination on positive hairstyles like braids, dreadlocks and twists. Bowers’ used to be impressed to record this proposal following high-profile incidents involving two Black highschool scholars in the U.S. who have been compelled to bring to an end their dreadlocks or face penalties.

“This form of race-based discrimination is real and it is happening today,” Bowers mentioned to her colleagues on the House flooring.

The House tentatively licensed the invoice on a 141-3 vote and wishes yet another prior to it heads to the Senate. This is her 2nd try to move this regulation. The invoice didn’t advance to the House flooring in 2021.

Sen. Borris Miles, D-Houston, is pushing the same bill in the Senate, which has now not been heard but by means of that chamber’s Committee on State Affairs.

CROWN stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair and Texas would sign up for as regards to two dozen states who’ve handed equivalent regulation. States started passing such regulations following a 2018 incident the place a white highschool wrestling reputable compelled Andrew Johnson, Black wrestler, to bring to an end his dreadlocks or forfeit the fit.

A video of a white instructor giving Johnson a makeshift haircut went viral. Then in 2020, a senior at Barber Hill High School, a faculty 30 miles east of Houston, used to be despatched to in-school suspension for not cutting off his dreadlocks.

“It will help reduce disparities in school discipline and lets our children feel like they can show up to school looking the way God made them,” Bowers mentioned.

This proposal is up for debate all over a 12 months when the Legislature and Gov. Greg Abbot need to do away with insurance policies akin to DEI — range, fairness and inclusion — alleging {that a} measure that’s supposed to lend a hand foster an inclusive surroundings at a large number of establishments is in reality discriminatory in itself.

On Wednesday, the Senate handed a invoice that bans instructing important race principle from school rooms and classes at public faculty campuses. That invoice, considered one of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s priorities, now heads to the House. Last week, the House banned the use of state budget for DEI systems in state schools and universities.

And in February, Abbott’s workplace despatched a memo to state companies and public college programs pointing out that it’s unlawful to imagine “diversity, equity and inclusion” in employment. Black and Latino legislative caucuses blasted Abbott for focused on the ones insurance policies.

Bowers mentioned in an interview that this invoice receiving overwhelming bipartisan reinforce in the House, presentations that the Legislature can unify to do away with racial discrimination.

“We can see that there are a lot of disparities,” Bowers mentioned. “So it means that we can come together and try to do what’s right for all Texans.”