Effective October 1, 2020 Maryland’s anti-discrimination law prevents discrimination against persons based on their protective hairstyles and textures.
These types of laws, referred to as Creating a Respectful World for Natural Hair (CROWN) acts, are now being enacted in many states and localities. Montgomery County has had such a law in place since February of 2020, making it the first county in the country to ban hair discrimination. Virginia’s law went into effect on July 1, 2020. DC has not yet enacted such a law.
Maryland’s anti-discrimination law, Title 20 of the State Government Article of the Maryland Code, prevents various types of discrimination including discrimination in employment, places of public accommodation, leasing of commercial property, and housing. The definitional section of the title, Md. Code, State Gov’t § 20-101, has been amended to broaden the definition of “race” by including “traits associated with race including hair texture, afro hairstyles, and protective hairstyles.” Additionally, protective hairstyles is defined to include “braids, twists, and locks.”
Notably, the Senate version of the bill attempted to restrict the law by including language that an employer could establish and require an employee to “adhere to reasonable workplace appearance, grooming, and dress standards that are directly related to the nature of the employment of the employee.” However, this language was ultimately struck before the Act’s passage.
Employers should review any grooming and personal appearance standards or handbook policies in their workplace to ensure that they do not violate the new law.
For more information, contact one of our employment attorneys.