The CROWN Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” comes as part of a national movement with 10 other states including California, New York, and Virginia that have already passed their own CROWN legislation.
The author of House Bill 392, Dallas Democratic Rep. Rhetta Bowers, says the fact alone that this bill was even heard was a victory in itself.
“These are conversations that were had around the kitchen table, at the beauty salon, barbershop, but never in public settings,” said Bowers. “It’s time because this has been happening for far too long.”
Hearing on CROWN Act, legislation that would ban hair discrimination, held in Austin
Taisha Walker, Reporter
Updated:
Tags:
Deandre Arnold testifies at a committee hearing in Austin, Texas, on HB 392, also known as the CROWN Act, on April 29, 2021. (KPRC)
AUSTIN – A public heairng was held Thursday in Austin for House Bill 392, which is also known as the CROWN Act.
Members of the State Affairs Committee heard testimony from several people, including Deandre Arnold a former high school senior from Mont Belvieu who was suspended over the length of his dreadlocks. The dress code at Barbers Hill High School forced Arnold to choose between his Trinidadian culture and his diploma. Deandre made national news with the story going viral.
The House State Affairs Committee heard testimony in support of the CROWN Act to ban race-based hair discrimination Thursday morning. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune
Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.
Texas lawmakers could ban race-based hair discrimination in schools and work places such as dress codes that don’t allow dreadlocks under a bill known as the CROWN Act, which got its first hearing before the House State Affairs Committee on Thursday morning. I believe people should not be forced to divest themselves of their racial cultural identity by changing their natural hair in order to adapt to their workplace, school, or home, said Rep. Rhetta Bowers, D-Garland, in a statement prior to the hearing. People should not miss out on opportunities or success because of the way they choose to wear their natural hair.
‘Every kid deserves to go to school and be themselves,’ advocate says in Texas CROWN Act hearing
DeAndre Arnold, who made national news last year, lent his support when Rep. Rhetta Bowers and the Texas Legislative Black Caucus succeeded in getting a hearing for the bill seeking to ban discrimination based on hair texture or style tied to race.
Deandre Arnold arrives for the 92nd annual Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Calif., on February 9, 2020. Arnold testified in favor of the CROWN Act at a Texas legislative hearing in Austin on April 29, 2021.(VALERIE MACON / AFP via Getty Images)
2:26 PM on Apr 29, 2021 CDT
Local teen to testify in support of Crown Act, a bill banning discrimination based on natural hair
FOX 26 Reporter Tiffany Justice has more on the upcoming bill.
Ahead of a House State of Affairs Committee, DeAndre Arnold spoke with FOX 26 about testifying.
Bi-partisan support is growing for a bill being introduced by Representative Rhetta Bowers, called the Crown Act, or House Bill 392. It simply says you cannot discriminate people based on their natural hair, said Rep. Ron Reynolds.
Representative Ron Reynolds says the bill will be a first for the Texas state legislature.
A committee hearing is expected to start 8 a.m. on Thursday.