Update applicable to:
All employers in Michigan as well as out-of-state employers with workers in Michigan
What happened?
On June 15, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill into law amending Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (“ELCRA”) to expand the definition of race to ban natural hairstyle discrimination. The amendment went into effect immediately.
What are the details?
Known as the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act (“CROWN Act”), Senate Bill 90 expands the protected class of “race” to be “inclusive of traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles.” Protective hairstyles include braids, locks, and twists.
For more information, please see the links below:
Public Act No. 45 (Senate Bill 90)
Article 1, Article 2, Article 3
What do employers need to do?
In order to avoid liability, employers should review their policies and procedures regarding discrimination and provide corresponding training to human resources and managerial employees.
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