Seyfarth Synopsis:
Connecticut Joins Its Tristate Neighbors by Becoming the Eighth State to Formally Amend Its Anti-Discrimination Laws to Include Hairstyle Discrimination as a Form of Race-Based Discrimination. This Law will Become Effective Immediately Upon Governor Lamont’s Signature, Expected in the Coming Days.
On March 1, 2021, the Connecticut State Senate unanimously passed the Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair Act (“CROWN Act”), which amends the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act (“FEPA”) to make clear that hairstyle discrimination is included in the existing prohibition on race-based discrimination. This legislative amendment follows similar amendments passed within the past few years in California, New York, and New Jersey, among other states and jurisdictions.