Gov. Gavin Newsom signs measure banning hair discrimination

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a measure Wednesday banning discrimination based on hair.

The CROWN Act, which stands for Creating a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural hair, bans discrimination based on hairstyles at work and school. The measure was introduced by State Sen. Holly Mitchell of Los Angeles and approved Thursday by the State Assembly. In April, it was approved by the State Senate.

It updates the definition of race, adding traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and hairstyles.

California is the first state to ban discrimination based on natural hairstyles. This week, New Jersey introduced legislation to ban hair discrimination in the workplace, housing and public schools. That comes in response to an incident last December when a black high school wrestler was forced to cut his dreadlocks ringside or forfeit a match.