by As reported in our February 2, 2023, posting Minnesota Amends Human Rights Act to Include Protection for “Traits Associated with Race,” employment discrimination due to race-based natural hair texture and styles such as braids, locs, and twists is unlawful in Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) has published a useful fact sheet entitled “Preventing Hair Discrimination,” summarizing the legal requirements under Minnesota’s new CROWN Act. https://mn.gov/mdhr/assets/Preventing-Hair-Discrimination-FactSheet_tcm1061-562859.pdf.
The fact sheet provides examples of discriminatory practices and lists recommended ways for employers and others to prevent hair discrimination. The MDHR makes it clear that the law covers more than employment. Since the law was an amendment to the Minnesota Human Rights Act, it applies everywhere that the human rights law applies. This means the law’s coverage goes beyond workplaces to include schools, apartments, financial institutions, stores, restaurants, and government buildings.
To alert them to new expectations, employers and other businesses in Minnesota may want to distribute the fact sheet to managers and customer-facing employees.
