Pennsylvania will soon implement the CROWN Act, a law that prohibits discrimination based on hairstyles, textures, and types, as well as religious head-coverings. Signed by Governor Josh Shapiro on November 19, 2025, the Act amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) and takes effect January 24, 2026. Employers across the state should begin preparing now to ensure compliance with these new protections.

The CROWN Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” amends the definition of “race” and “religious creed” under the PHRA to prohibit discrimination based on hair, as well as head-coverings associated with certain religions. For example, the Act specifically identifies certain hairstyles and types, such as braids, locs, twists, coils, Bantu knots, and afros, that will now be protected in Pennsylvania.

The Act’s co-sponsors, Representatives La’Tasha Mayes and Joanna McClinton, noted in their co-sponsorship memo that employers (as well as schools and other public spaces) historically denied opportunities and access to Black Americans for hairstyles deemed inappropriate, unacceptable, or unprofessional. The CROWN Act provides protections to Black Americans with natural hair or primarily black hairstyles, as well as head-coverings and hairstyles historically associated with religion.

Notably, the CROWN Act does not prohibit employers from enacting hairstyle or head-covering restrictions when such restrictions are for valid workplace health or safety reasons or as part of a bona fide occupational qualification. Employers who maintain such restrictive policies must demonstrate all of the following:

• Without the adoption of the rule or policy, the health or safety of an employee or other materially connected person may be impaired.
• The rule or policy is adopted for nondiscriminatory reasons.
• The rule or policy is specifically tailored to the applicable position and activity.
• The rule or policy is applied equally to individuals whose positions fall under the applicable position and activity.

With the passage of the CROWN Act, Pennsylvania joins several neighboring states (Delaware, New Jersey, and New York, for example) as well as the cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, which previously enacted CROWN Act laws. Because the Pennsylvania CROWN Act amends the PHRA, it will apply to employers, labor organizations, and employment agencies with four or more employees in Pennsylvania.

This means employers should review their grooming, dress code, and appearance policies to ensure compliance with the updated law. Policies that restrict certain hairstyles or head coverings could expose organizations to discrimination claims unless they meet the Act’s narrow exceptions for health, safety, or bona fide occupational qualifications. Now is the time to audit existing rules and train managers on these new protections.

If you have questions about your current policies regarding hairstyles or head coverings, please contact any member of the McNees Labor and Employment Group.