What is the Pennsylvania CROWN Act?

The CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) was introduced nationally in 2019 with the goal of protecting individuals from discrimination based on hair type, texture, or style–an issue most frequently faced by Black Americans. It is a response to the systemic issue of anti-Blackness expressed in the form of hair policing; in 2023, the CROWN Workplace Research Study found that Black women’s hair is 2.5x more likely to be perceived as unprofessional, and over 20% of Black women ages 25-34 have been sent home from work because of their hair.

In 2020, the Allegheny County Council and Pittsburgh City Council voted to ban race-based hair discrimination locally. State Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes and Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton originally introduced a statewide bill, the Pennsylvania CROWN Act, several years ago, but despite passing the state House in July 2023, the PA CROWN Act never made it to the state Senate.

In March 2025, the PA CROWN Act passed out of the House of Representatives in a bipartisan vote of 194-8, and now it is up to the PA Senate to bring it to the floor for a vote. Institutions, businesses, organizations, and groups interested in endorsing the Pennsylvania CROWN Act are invited to join the Pennsylvania CROWN Act Coalition. 

YWCA Greater Pittsburgh supports the call to end race-based hair discrimination in accordance with our mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.