| California | CROWN Act (SB 188) | Enacted — signed into law 3 July 2019 | Prohibits discrimination based on natural hair texture and protective hairstyles in workplaces and schools. Amends FEHA and Education Code. | 2026-03-01 |
| New York | CROWN Act (S6209A) | Enacted — signed into law 10 December 2019 | Amends Human Rights Law to prohibit discrimination based on natural hair or hairstyles in employment, public accommodations, and housing. | 2026-03-01 |
| New Jersey | CROWN Act (A5564) | Enacted — signed into law 19 December 2019 | Amends Law Against Discrimination to include hair texture and protective hairstyles within the definition of race. Covers employment, housing, public accommodations, and contracting. | 2026-03-01 |
| Virginia | CROWN Act (HB1514) | Enacted — signed into law 5 March 2020 | Amends Virginia Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on hair texture and hair type, including protective hairstyles. | 2026-03-01 |
| Colorado | CROWN Act (HB20-1048) | Enacted — signed into law 6 March 2020 | Creates CROWN Act protections within Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act. Covers employment and public schools. | 2026-03-01 |
| Washington | CROWN Act (SB5496) | Enacted — signed into law 19 March 2020 | Amends Washington Law Against Discrimination to define race as inclusive of hair texture and protective hairstyles. Covers employment, housing, public accommodations, insurance, and credit. | 2026-03-01 |
| Maryland | CROWN Act (SB531) | Enacted — signed into law 8 May 2020 | Amends Fair Employment Practices Act to include hair texture and protective hairstyles within the definition of race. Covers employment, housing, public accommodations, and education. | 2026-03-01 |
| Connecticut | CROWN Act (SB 86) | Enacted — signed into law 4 March 2021 | Amends Fair Employment Practices Act to prohibit discrimination based on ethnic hairstyles historically associated with race. | 2026-03-01 |
| New Mexico | CROWN Act (HB10) | Enacted — signed into law 19 March 2021 | Amends Human Rights Act to include hair texture and hairstyle within the definition of race. Covers employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit. | 2026-03-01 |
| Nebraska | CROWN Act (LB451) | Enacted — signed into law 25 May 2021 | Amends Fair Employment Practice Act to define race as inclusive of hair texture and protective hairstyles historically associated with race. | 2026-03-01 |
| Nevada | CROWN Act (AB135) | Enacted — signed into law 4 June 2021 | Prohibits discrimination based on natural, protective, or cultural hair texture and hairstyles. Covers employment and educational institutions. | 2026-03-01 |
| Oregon | CROWN Act (HB2935) | Enacted — signed into law 11 June 2021 | Prohibits discrimination based on physical characteristics associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles. Covers workplaces and K-12 schools. | 2026-03-01 |
| Illinois | CROWN Act (SB817) | Enacted — signed into law 13 August 2021 | Amends Human Rights Act to include hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles within the definition of race. Covers employment, real estate, public accommodations, financial credit, and education. | 2026-03-01 |
| Maine | CROWN Act (LD2018) | Enacted — signed into law 30 April 2022 | Amends Human Rights Act to include natural hair, hair texture, and protective hairstyles within the definition of race. Covers employment, housing, education, and public accommodations. | 2026-03-01 |
| Tennessee | CROWN Act (SB2536) | Enacted — signed into law 3 May 2022 | Creates protections against hair texture and hairstyle discrimination in the Tennessee Human Rights Act. Covers employment and educational institutions. | 2026-03-01 |
| Louisiana | CROWN Act (HB632) | Enacted — signed into law 10 June 2022 | Amends Employment Discrimination Law to prohibit discrimination based on natural, protective, and cultural hair texture and hairstyles. Covers employment and education. | 2026-03-01 |
| Alaska | CROWN Act (HB177) | Enacted — signed into law 29 July 2022 | Amends Human Rights Law to include hair texture and hairstyles within the definition of race. Covers employment, public accommodations, and housing. | 2026-03-01 |
| Delaware | CROWN Act (HB126) | Enacted — signed into law 22 August 2022 | Amends Discrimination in Employment Act to include hair texture and protective hairstyles as characteristics associated with race. Covers employment, housing, and public accommodations. | 2026-03-01 |
| Massachusetts | CROWN Act (HD.4501) | Enacted — signed into law 26 October 2022 | Amends anti-discrimination law to define race as inclusive of natural hair, hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles. Covers employment, education, housing, and public accommodations. | 2026-03-01 |
| Minnesota | CROWN Act (SF37) | Enacted — signed into law 6 March 2023 | Amends Human Rights Act to include hair texture and hair styles associated with race. Covers employment, education, housing, public accommodations, and public services. | 2026-03-01 |
| Montana | CROWN Act (HB171) | Enacted — signed into law 22 May 2023 | Amends Human Rights Act to include hair texture and protective hairstyles within the definition of race. Covers employment and educational contexts. | 2026-03-01 |
| Texas | CROWN Act (HB567) | Enacted — effective 1 September 2023 | Creates CROWN Act of Texas. Prohibits discrimination based on hair texture and protective hairstyles in employment and public education. Amends Labour Code and Education Code. | 2026-03-01 |
| Kentucky | CROWN Act (SB63) | Enacted — signed into law 28 March 2024 | Amends Civil Rights Act to include hair texture and protective hairstyles historically associated with race. Covers employment and educational settings. | 2026-03-01 |
| Missouri | CROWN Act (HB427) | Enacted — signed into law 28 August 2024 | Amends Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on hair texture and protective hairstyles associated with race. Covers employment, housing, and public accommodations. | 2026-03-01 |
| France | Proposition de loi Serva | Passed National Assembly 44-2 (March 2024); Senate pending | Prohibit discrimination based on hair texture, length, colour, and style. Amends the Labour Code and Penal Code to include capillary discrimination as a named category. Applies to employment, education, housing, and public services. | 2026-03-01 |
| Switzerland | No specific legislation | No hair-specific protection. Art. 8 Federal Constitution provides general equality guarantee. | Article 8 of the Federal Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds including origin, race, and sex. However, hair texture and hairstyles are not explicitly named. The Federal Commission against Racism (EKR/CFR) has not issued specific guidance on hair discrimination. | 2026-03-01 |
| United Kingdom | Equality Act 2010 | Race is protected; hair not explicitly named. Halo Code voluntary. | The Equality Act 2010 prohibits discrimination based on race, which includes colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins. Hair discrimination may be covered as indirect discrimination where grooming policies disproportionately affect certain racial groups. The EHRC has issued guidance on hair in schools (2022). The Halo Code is a voluntary pledge but has no legal force. | 2026-03-01 |
| Austria | Equal Treatment Act (Gleichbehandlungsgesetz) | No hair-specific protection. General anti-discrimination law implements EU Racial Equality Directive. | Implements EU Racial Equality Directive (2000/43/EC). Prohibits discrimination based on race and ethnic origin in employment and access to goods and services. Hair texture and hairstyles are not explicitly covered. No case law specifically addressing hair discrimination. | 2026-03-01 |
| Belgium | Anti-Discrimination Law (Loi tendant à lutter contre la discrimination) | Broad anti-discrimination law may cover hair under 'physical characteristics' in some interpretations. | Belgium's 2007 Anti-Discrimination Law prohibits discrimination on multiple grounds including race, skin colour, and physical characteristics. Some legal scholars argue hair discrimination could fall under the 'physical characteristics' criterion. Unia (Interfederal Centre for Equal Opportunities) has received complaints related to appearance but no specific hair discrimination jurisprudence exists. | 2026-03-01 |
| Bulgaria | Protection Against Discrimination Act | No hair-specific protection. General anti-discrimination law implements EU Racial Equality Directive. | Implements EU Racial Equality Directive. Prohibits discrimination based on race and ethnicity. No provisions specifically addressing hair texture or hairstyles. Commission for Protection against Discrimination has not issued guidance on this topic. | 2026-03-01 |
| Croatia | Anti-Discrimination Act (Zakon o suzbijanju diskriminacije) | No hair-specific protection. General anti-discrimination framework in place. | Implements EU Racial Equality Directive. Prohibits discrimination based on race, ethnic origin, colour, and social origin. Hair texture and hairstyles are not explicitly named. The Ombudswoman's Office has not addressed hair discrimination specifically. | 2026-03-01 |
| Cyprus | Equal Treatment (Racial or Ethnic Origin) Law | No hair-specific protection. EU directive transposed into national law. | Transposition of EU Racial Equality Directive. Prohibits discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin. No specific provisions for hair texture or hairstyles. | 2026-03-01 |
| Czech Republic | Anti-Discrimination Act (Antidiskriminační zákon) | No hair-specific protection. General anti-discrimination law in place. | Implements EU Racial Equality Directive. Prohibits direct and indirect discrimination on grounds of race, ethnic origin, and nationality. Hair is not explicitly addressed. The Public Defender of Rights (Ombudsman) has not issued specific guidance on hair discrimination. | 2026-03-01 |
| Denmark | Act on Ethnic Equal Treatment | No hair-specific protection. Anti-discrimination framework covers race and ethnic origin. | Prohibits discrimination based on race and ethnic origin. Denmark's Board of Equal Treatment (Ligebehandlingsnævnet) handles complaints but has not specifically addressed hair discrimination. No legislative proposals for hair-specific protections. | 2026-03-01 |
| Estonia | Equal Treatment Act (Võrdse kohtlemise seadus) | No hair-specific protection. General anti-discrimination provisions in place. | Implements EU Racial Equality Directive. Prohibits discrimination based on race, ethnic origin, and colour. Hair is not explicitly addressed. The Gender Equality and Equal Treatment Commissioner handles complaints but has no hair-specific guidance. | 2026-03-01 |
| Finland | Non-Discrimination Act (Yhdenvertaisuuslaki) | No hair-specific protection. Comprehensive non-discrimination framework. | Broad non-discrimination act covering origin, nationality, and language among other grounds. Finland's Non-Discrimination Ombudsman has not specifically addressed hair discrimination. Some interpretations suggest appearance-based discrimination could fall under indirect racial discrimination. | 2026-03-01 |
| Germany | General Equal Treatment Act (Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz — AGG) | Race and ethnic origin protected; hair not explicitly named. Berlin state law includes 'appearance.' | The AGG prohibits discrimination based on race, ethnic origin, and other grounds. Hair is not explicitly mentioned. However, the Berlin State Anti-Discrimination Act (LADG, 2020) includes 'appearance' as a protected category, potentially covering hair discrimination. The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency has acknowledged the issue but no federal legislation specifically addresses it. | 2026-03-01 |
| Greece | Law 4443/2016 on Equal Treatment | No hair-specific protection. EU directives transposed. | Implements EU Racial Equality Directive. Prohibits discrimination based on race and ethnic origin. No specific provisions for hair texture or hairstyles. The Greek Ombudsman handles discrimination complaints but has not specifically addressed hair discrimination. | 2026-03-01 |
| Hungary | Equal Treatment Act (Egyenlő bánásmódról szóló törvény) | No hair-specific protection. General anti-discrimination framework in place. | Prohibits discrimination based on race, skin colour, ethnic origin, and other characteristics. Hair is not explicitly covered. The Equal Treatment Authority has not issued specific guidance on hair discrimination. | 2026-03-01 |
| Ireland | Employment Equality Acts 1998–2015 and Equal Status Acts 2000–2018 | Race protected ground; hair not explicitly named but indirect discrimination claims possible. | Irish equality legislation identifies nine protected grounds, including race. Hair discrimination is not explicitly addressed but could potentially be challenged as indirect discrimination on grounds of race. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) has acknowledged appearance-based discrimination as an emerging concern. | 2026-03-01 |
| Italy | Legislative Decree 215/2003 (Racial Equality) | No hair-specific protection. EU Racial Equality Directive transposed. | Transposition of EU Racial Equality Directive. Prohibits discrimination based on race and ethnic origin. Hair texture and hairstyles are not explicitly addressed. UNAR (National Office Against Racial Discrimination) has not issued specific guidance on hair discrimination. | 2026-03-01 |
| Latvia | Labour Law and Anti-Discrimination Provisions | No hair-specific protection. General anti-discrimination provisions. | Latvian Labour Law prohibits discrimination based on race and ethnic origin. No specific provisions for hair texture or hairstyles. The Ombudsman's Office has not addressed hair discrimination specifically. | 2026-03-01 |
| Lithuania | Equal Treatment Act (Lygių galimybių įstatymas) | No hair-specific protection. General anti-discrimination law in place. | Prohibits discrimination based on race, ethnic origin, and nationality. Hair is not explicitly addressed. The Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson handles complaints but has no hair-specific jurisprudence. | 2026-03-01 |
| Luxembourg | Law of 28 November 2006 on Equal Treatment | No hair-specific protection. EU directives transposed. | Implements EU Racial Equality Directive. Prohibits discrimination based on race and ethnic origin. No specific provisions for hair texture or hairstyles. The Centre for Equal Treatment (CET) has not addressed hair discrimination specifically. | 2026-03-01 |
| Malta | Equality for Men and Women Act and Employment and Industrial Relations Act | No hair-specific protection. General anti-discrimination framework. | Prohibits discrimination based on race and ethnic origin under EU directive transposition. No specific provisions for hair texture or hairstyles. The National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) has not addressed hair discrimination specifically. | 2026-03-01 |
| Netherlands | Equal Treatment Act (Algemene wet gelijke behandeling) | Race protected; hair not explicit. Netherlands Institute for Human Rights has acknowledged the issue. | Prohibits discrimination based on race, including skin colour and ethnic origin. Hair is not explicitly named. The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights has received complaints related to hairstyle policies in the workplace. Some legal scholars argue that hair discrimination constitutes indirect racial discrimination under existing law. Amsterdam has seen public debate on the topic. | 2026-03-01 |
| Poland | Act on Equal Treatment (Ustawa o wdrożeniu niektórych przepisów UE) | No hair-specific protection. Limited anti-discrimination framework. | Implements EU Racial Equality Directive with limited scope. Prohibits discrimination based on race and ethnic origin. Hair texture and hairstyles are not addressed. The Commissioner for Human Rights has not issued guidance on hair discrimination. | 2026-03-01 |
| Portugal | Labour Code and Anti-Discrimination Law | No hair-specific protection. General anti-discrimination provisions. | Portuguese Labour Code and constitutional provisions prohibit discrimination based on race and ethnic origin. Hair is not explicitly addressed. The Commission for Equality and Against Racial Discrimination (CICDR) handles complaints but has no hair-specific guidance. Growing public discourse on texturism in Portuguese society. | 2026-03-01 |
| Romania | National Council for Combating Discrimination (Ordinance 137/2000) | No hair-specific protection. General anti-discrimination framework. | Ordinance 137/2000 prohibits discrimination based on race, nationality, and ethnic origin. Hair texture and hairstyles are not explicitly covered. The National Council for Combating Discrimination has not specifically addressed hair discrimination. | 2026-03-01 |
| Slovakia | Anti-Discrimination Act (Antidiskriminačný zákon) | No hair-specific protection. General anti-discrimination law in place. | Prohibits discrimination based on race, ethnic origin, and skin colour. Hair is not explicitly addressed. The Slovak National Centre for Human Rights handles complaints but has no hair-specific jurisprudence. | 2026-03-01 |
| Slovenia | Protection Against Discrimination Act (PADA) | No hair-specific protection. Comprehensive but general anti-discrimination framework. | Slovenia's PADA (2016) is among the broader anti-discrimination laws in the EU, covering personal circumstances as a protected ground. Theoretically, hair discrimination could fall under this broad category, but no case law or guidance exists. The Advocate of the Principle of Equality has not specifically addressed hair discrimination. | 2026-03-01 |
| Spain | Comprehensive Law for Equal Treatment and Non-Discrimination (Ley 15/2022) | Broad 2022 law includes 'physical appearance' among protected grounds. | Spain's 2022 comprehensive anti-discrimination law is notable for including 'physical appearance' (apariencia física) among protected characteristics. This could theoretically cover hair discrimination, though no specific case law exists. The law applies to employment, education, healthcare, and public services. | 2026-03-01 |
| Sweden | Discrimination Act (Diskrimineringslag) | Ethnicity is protected ground; Equality Ombudsman has acknowledged hair issues. | Sweden's Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination based on ethnicity, which includes national or ethnic origin and skin colour. While hair is not explicitly named, the Equality Ombudsman (Diskrimineringsombudsmannen) has acknowledged that hairstyle requirements disproportionately affecting certain ethnic groups may constitute indirect discrimination. | 2026-03-01 |