KZG's Jeannine LaRue Helps to Secure Passage and Enactment of Legislation Ending Hair Discrimination in Workplaces and Schools

One year to the day after an African American student wrestler was forced to cut his dreadlocks, Governor Phil Murphy signed the CROWN Act into law, banning hair discrimination based on hairstyles associated with race.

On behalf of our client, Dove and the CROWN Coalition- Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, KZG’s Jeannine LaRue led and developed legislative efforts to ensure the passage and enactment of A5564/S3945 which was sponsored in the Assembly by Angela McKnight (D-31), Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D-15), Shanique Speight (D-29), and Britnee Timberlake and in the Senate by Sandra Cunningham (D-31), Nia Gill (D-34), and Shirley Turner (D-15). Jeannine coordinated efforts with legislators and the Governor’s Office, which helped to achieve the passage of this landmark legislation.

In a press release issued by the Governor’s Office regarding the bill, Governor Murphy stated, “No one should be made to feel uncomfortable or be discriminated against because of their natural hair. I am proud to sign this law in order to help ensure that all New Jersey residents can go to work, school, or participate in athletic events with dignity.” 

The legislation was introduced last year after student, Andrew Johnson of Buena Vista Regional High School was forced to cut his dreadlocks or forfeit a wrestling match. The newly enacted CROWN Act amends New Jersey’s current discrimination law to include “traits historically associated with race,” including hair texture and styles such as twists, dreadlocks, braids, and curls ensuring that an incident like Andrew’s will never happen again.

“Unfortunately, it’s all too common for African-Americans and people of color to be subjected to discrimination at work or school for wearing their hair in braids, twists, and dreadlocks or embracing their natural curls. With this law, the student would have been protected from this kind of discrimination,” said bill sponsor Assemblywoman McKnight.

“I am proud to see New Jersey become just the third state in the nation to put an end to this discriminatory practice. This law will ensure people of color are free to wear their hair however they feel best represents them, whether that be locks, braids, twists or curls. No one should ever be told it is ‘unprofessional’ to embrace their culture,” said bill sponsor Senator Cunningham. “It is unacceptable that someone could be dismissed from school or denied employment because they wear their hair exactly how it grows, but that has been the reality for many black and brown individuals. Today, here in New Jersey, we’ve changed that.”