COLUMBUS, Ohio — A six-year push to get rid of hair discrimination in the Buckeye State passed the Ohio House chamber on Wednesday.

The chamber looked at a total of 17 bills and passed several that are on their way to the Senate chamber. The CROWN Act would ensure students in K through 12 schools will not be discriminated against by wearing their hair in natural styles.

What You Need To Know

  • The sponsors of the Ohio bill say it took six years to pass the Ohio House chamber

  • The sponsors also say more needs to be done in this space to help people of color wearing their hair in natural styles

  • The bill would help students in K through 12 and ensure they will not be sent home for wearing their hair natural 

State Representative Juanita Brent is a native of Cleveland and says she has heard numerous stories about children, adults and women being penalized for their natural hair.

Brent said it’s a form of racism to tell people they need to wear their hair differently. House Bill 178, also known as “The CROWN Act,” has become a cause that Brent feels passionately about, and wants to create a better Ohio for minorities who were told they weren’t enough. The bill will let students wear their hair in locks, braids and puffs to school without the fear of punishment. Brent says natural hairstyles are a part of race and ethnicity. 

“We are basically telling people that to hair discrimination should not be legal,” Brent said. “This is the first of many steps and we’re chipping away at a bigger wedge of discrimination, a matter of school at the workplace that people’s natural hair should not be a crime.”

Brent told Spectrum News that conversations need to continue in this space, and she’s very happy this bill finally passed this chamber. 

 “No matter if your hair is curly, is an afro, puffs, locks, braids,” Brent said. “You should be able to feel see within the system that you are in. And I’m so proud we got this done. But just like I said, with my join sponsor on the floor, we have a lot more work to do.”

Brent’s joint sponsor is Republican Jamie Callender, who said no one should ever feel unwelcome in a space because of their hairstyle. He also mentioned that children carry trauma with them, and all children should be treated in fair, nice, and friendly environments. Meanwhile, State Rep. Jason Stephens, the speaker of the house, said this is good legislation, and did not understand why it took so long to get passed from the House floor. 

“I don’t know the reason why it took so long,” said Stephens. “It was a bipartisan bill. I think it’s important to recognize these types of things do happen.” 

‘The CROWN Act’ passed in the House chamber with 83-7 votes, and now it’s on its way to the Senate chamber for a discussion and possible vote.