Senate Bill 204
Summary of Senate Bill 204
DESCRIPTION
Creates the “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act” making it unlawful to discriminate based on traits associated with one's race, including hair texture and protective hair styles, such as braids, locks, and twists TARGETS Public and chartered nonpublic K-12 schools; Public and private preschools |
PRIMARY SPONSOR(S)
Sen Paula Hicks-Hudson, Sen Catherine Ingram COMMITTEE Senate Government Oversight Committee INTRODUCED December 11, 2023 HEARINGS Watch Hearings | Read Testimony Sponsor Testimony BILL General Info | Bill Text | Analysis Amendments |
What does SB 204 do?
- Creates the “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act.”
- In the Ohio Civil Rights Law, specifies that “race” includes traits associated with an individual’s race, including hair texture and protective hair styles, such as braids, locks, and twists.
- Makes it an unlawful discriminatory practice under Ohio’s Civil Rights Law to discriminate against an individual because of traits associated with the individual’s race, including hair texture and protective hair styles, such as braids, locks, and twists, in employment, places of public accommodation, housing, and credit practices.
- Prohibits public and chartered nonpublic K-12 schools and public and private preschools from discriminating against an individual for any program or activity on the basis of traits associated with the individual's race, including hair texture and protective hair styles, such as braids, locks, and twists.
- Allows an individual alleging that a school discriminated against them, based on traits associated with their race, to bring a civil action in any court having jurisdiction.
Testimony
**Do NOT submit testimony until the appropriate hearing is announced**
HOW TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY
STEP 1:
PREPARE YOUR TESTIMONY
Read tips for preparing and submitting testimony HERE
STEP 2:
EMAIL TESTIMONY DOCUMENTS TO COMMITTEE
Email a PDF of your testimony & this completed Witness Slip to roegner@ohiosenate.gov
**IMPORTANT**
Do NOT send your testimony until the appropriate hearing is announced.
You must submit your testimony 24 hours ahead of the scheduled hearing.
Indicate in your email that you are submitting testimony and ask for a confirmation of receipt.
All testimony will be uploaded HERE
STEP 3:
ARRIVE EARLY FOR IN-PERSON TESTIMONY
Arrive at least 1 hour prior to the scheduled hearing
There is convenient parking in the Statehouse Parking Garage