Prohibits race discrimination based on natural hair or hairstyles; defines "race" for certain specific purposes to include, but not be limited to, ancestry, color, ethnic group identification, and ethnic background, and to include traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles; and defines "protective hairstyles" to include, but not be limited to, such hairstyles as braids, locks, and twists.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A7797A
SPONSOR: Wright
 
TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the executive law and the education
law, in relation to prohibiting race discrimination based on natural
hairstyles
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA:
This bill will prohibit race discrimination based on natural hair or
hairstyles.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the Executive law is amended by defining the term "race"
and "protective hairstyles" but not limited to, ancestry, color, ethnic
group identification, and ethnic background, and shall include traits
historically associates with race, including but limited to hair texture
and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists.
§ 2. Section 11 of the Education law is amended by adding two new subdi-
visions 9 and 10.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In February of this year, The New York City Commission on Human Rights
released their Legal Enforcement Guidance on Race Discrimination on the
Basis of Hair. In this guidance they classify such restrictions in work-
places, schools and public places as racial discrimination. Their
guidelines point specifically to the rights of people to maintain their
"natural hair, treated or untreated hairstyles such as loos, cornrows,
twists, braids, Bantu knots, fades, Afros, and/or the right to keep hair
in an uncut or untrimmed state."
Here are just a few stories of hair discrimination that have been in the
news:
-A high school wrestler was forced to cut his hair or forfeit a wrestl-
ing match in New Jersey.
-A 6-year-old boy in Florida was turned away from a private Christian
academy on his first day of school because his hair extended below his
ears.
-And a New Orleans-area girl was sent home at the start of the school
year from a Catholic school for wearing braids. •
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To Be Determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.