Puerto Rico Governor Signs Law Prohibiting Hair Discrimination

Discrimination against Black hair and hairstyles is a reoccurring problem all over the world, including the U.S. and its territories. It can affect people at work, school, and in public spaces where they can be subject to harassment and discrimination. Back in January of this year, Puerto Rico Sen. Ana Irma Rivera Lassén co-wrote and introduced a bill that would explicitly ban hair discrimination against hairstyles including Afros, curls, coils, locs, twists, braids, Bantu knots, and cornrows. It sparked debate across the island because government officials felt that federal and local laws already provided protection against discrimination, while activists wanted a more explicit law. After months of discussion, Puerto Rico’s governor Pedro Pierluisi signed The Law Against Discrimination Based on Hairstyles (Senate Bill 1282) this week, placing permanent protection on those who have struggled to attain work, housing, education, and public services solely because of their hair. More than 230,000 Puerto Ricans identify as Black, making this a deeply impactful law that will benefit many families, the Associated Press reported.

“It’s a victory for generations to come,” community organizer Welmo Romero Joseph told the publication.

Prior to the signing of the new law, Puerto Rico’s previous laws, as well as its constitution and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, protected against discrimination. However, as a U.S. territory, it was also impacted in 2016 when an Alabama court ruled that discrimination against dreadlocks during the hiring process was legal and didn’t violate Title VII. Similar discriminatory policies have been seen in schools across several U.S. states, which specifically describe cornrows, dreadlocks, twists, and other culturally Black hairstyles as against their dress codes. This new law is similar to the CROWN (Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) act in the U.S. mainland first implemented in California in 2019 and now in at least 23 other states.

In Puerto Rico, hair discrimination is an ongoing problem. In a public hearing held by federal legislators, many residents came forward sharing stories and experiences with hair discrimination. Sometimes, job offers were conditional and could be retracted if the applicant refused to change their hairstyle. Even children weren’t protected under the law, subject to bans and forced to cut their hair in order to attend school. That’s why this law is such a big win for Afro-descendant families on the island, who have been facing this problem for generations.

For employment, this means that employers can no longer refuse to employ or fire employees with Black hairstyles and workplace harassment now constitutes comments or mockery about protective hairstyles and textures. Likewise, in public service, housing, and education, people can’t be denied access or service because of their hairstyle, people can’t be discriminated against during the housing process and can’t be prevented from attending public or private school systems. It’s a huge step for racial equality in Puerto Rico and it will be interesting to see how the law will be enforced. For now, it’s a celebratory victory.