Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

House passes CROWN Act prohibiting discrimination based on hair

Rep. Esther Agbaje introduces HF37, the CROWN Act, which would prohibit discrimination based on traits associated with race, such as hair texture and hair styles. The bill passed on a 111-19 vote Jan. 11. (Photo by Catherine Davis)
Rep. Esther Agbaje introduces HF37, the CROWN Act, which would prohibit discrimination based on traits associated with race, such as hair texture and hair styles. The bill passed on a 111-19 vote Jan. 11. (Photo by Catherine Davis)

Hair discrimination is a proxy for racial discrimination, Rep. Esther Agbaje (DFL-Mpls) said on the House Floor Wednesday.

She spoke about the many times she has felt pressure to straighten her natural hair out of fear of losing a job or not being taken as seriously in the workplace.

Agbaje sponsors HF37, passed by the House 111-19, which specifies that racial discrimination prohibited under the Minnesota Human Rights Act would include discrimination based on “traits associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and hair styles such as braids, locs, and twists.”

“The purpose of the bill is to allow more people to show up as their authentic selves in school or in the workplace without fear of repercussion because of their hair,” she said.

House Floor Session 1/11/23

While the bill would apply to all hairstyles, Black people have been particularly burdened by discrimination based on hair, said Agbaje.

She cited research showing that 80% of Black women have had to change their natural hair to fit in at the office.

A similar bill sponsored by Agbaje last session passed the House but was not acted on by the Senate.

The language in the bill comes from the CROWN Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” and has been adopted by 19 other states.

“By adding this clarifying definition to our law, we can proudly say that Minnesota is an inclusive state that wants everyone to thrive and not have the additional mental strain of worrying about their hair,” she said.

“In 2023, we should not be asking people to tamp down their identity or their culture.”


Related Articles


Priority Dailies

Walz, legislative leaders announce budget targets for 2023 session
Flanked by Gov. Tim Walz and Senate President Bobby Joe Champion, House Speaker Melissa Hortman announces an agreement on budget targets, a major step in the process of crafting a two-year state budget. (Photo by Andrew VonBank) With the session’s final committee deadline exactly two weeks away, legislative leaders announced an agreement Tuesday on how much new money they plan to spend in 2023 and the f...
Gov. Walz's proposed budget largest in state history, includes $8 billion in tax cuts
Gov. Tim Walz, pictured here last year, on Tuesday unveiled his complete $65.2 billion two-year state budget proposal he says will "make Minnesota the best state in the nation for children." (House Photography file photo) Make Minnesota the best state in our country for kids to grow up. It’s a lofty goal but that was Gov. Tim Walz’ mantra Tuesday during the unveiling of his proposed budget fo...

Minnesota House on Twitter