HB1576

House Bill 1576, known as the CROWN Act, seeks to prohibit discrimination based on natural, protective, or cultural hairstyles in public schools and state-supported institutions of higher education in Arkansas. The bill defines these hairstyles to include afros, dreadlocks, twists, locs, braids, cornrows, Bantu knots, curls, and other styles related to hair texture or cultural significance. Additionally, the bill amends the Arkansas Civil Rights Act of 1993 to clarify that discrimination based on such hairstyles is included within the definitions of discrimination based on race and national origin. These provisions apply to school district administrators, board members, teachers, and employees, as well as faculty and staff at public colleges and universities. The Division of Youth Services is explicitly exempted from the requirements established for public schools. The primary goal is to ensure students are not penalized or treated unfairly in educational settings due to their natural hair choices.