by Minnesota has joined Colorado, Nebraska, and more than a dozen other states in enacting a law prohibiting discrimination based on an individual’s hair texture and style. On January 31, 2023, Minnesota’s governor signed a law amending the state Human Rights Act to include protection from discrimination based on ‘traits associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and styles such as braids, locs and twists.’
Known as CROWN laws, the laws enacted by Minnesota and other states seek to remedy discrimination based on an individual’s natural appearance. See our March 23, 2022 posting, CROWN Act Under Consideration by U.S. Congress and State Legislatures.
CROWN stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair. The laws protect individuals from employment discrimination based on the natural appearance of a person’s hair, but the states differ in how expansive the protection extends to other natural traits. The Minnesota CROWN Act specifically calls out discrimination based on hair texture and style but leaves open the application of the law to other traits associated with race. Some states have limited coverage of their statutes to employment. Other states, such as Minnesota, extend the protection to other situations. Minnesota enacted the law as an amendment to its human rights act. The Minnesota Human Rights Act provides discrimination protection in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and other areas.
Minnesota employers should review their policies and practices regarding employee appearance and make any changes needed to assure compliance with the new law.
