Columbus Adopts CROWN Ordinance

In December, the Columbus City Council amended its anti-discrimination ordinance to modify the definition of race discrimination at §2331.01 to include “traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair textures and protective and cultural hairstyles,” which, in turn, is defined to include, “but is not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, locs, cornrows, bantu knots, afros, and twists, whether or not hair extensions or treatments are used to create or maintain any such style, and whether or not hair is adorned by hair ornaments, beads, or headwraps.”  Ordinance No. 2880-2020 , § 1 became effective in mid-January.   Chapter 2331 covers several types of discrimination, including employment, housing, public accommodations, and ethnic intimidation.  Such legislation is part of a movement for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural hair.

NOTICE: This summary is designed merely to inform and alert you of recent legal developments. It does not constitute legal advice and does not apply to any particular situation because different facts could lead to different results. Information here can change or be amended without notice. Readers should not act upon this information without legal advice. If you have any questions about anything you have read, you should consult with or retain an employment attorney.