Missouri HB 284: Prohibits certain discriminatory practices on the basis of race

Bill Text

FIRST REGULAR SESSION
HOUSE BILL NO. 284
103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PROUDIE.
1159H.01I DANA RADEMAN MILLER, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapter 160, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to discriminatory
practices.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 160, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be
2 known as section 160.082, to read as follows:
160.082. 1. This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Missouri
2 Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (Missouri CROWN) Act".
3 2. As used in this section, the following terms mean:
4 (1) "Educational institution", any public or private prekindergarten program,
5 public or private elementary or secondary school, or public or private school board or
6 other school administrative body;
7 (2) "Protective hairstyles", includes, but is not limited to, such hairstyles and
8 coverings that are designed to protect textured hair from damage so it may be worn in
9 its natural state as braids, locks, twists, and afros;
10 (3) "Race", includes a perception that a person is of a particular racial group
11 based upon shared physical traits associated with ancestral origin or ethnicity, shared
12 cultural attributes, and similar physical characteristics such as skin color and facial
13 features;
14 (4) "State financial assistance", any funds or other form of financial aid
15 appropriated or authorized under the laws of this state, or under any federal law
16 administered by any state agency, for the purpose of providing assistance to any
17 educationalinstitutionforitsownbenefitorforthebenefitofanypupilsadmittedtothe
EXPLANATION — Matter enclosed in bold-faced brackets [thus] in the above bill is not enacted and is
intended to be omitted from the law. Matter in bold-face type in the above bill is proposed language.

18 educational institution. "State financial assistance" shall include, but not be limited to,
19 all of the following:
20 (a) Grants of state property, or any interest therein;
21 (b) Provision of the services of state personnel; and
22 (c) Funds provided by contract, tax rebate, appropriation, allocation, or
23 formula;
24 (5) "State student financial aid", any funds or other form of financial aid
25 appropriated or authorized under the laws of this state, or under any federal law
26 administeredbyanystateagency,forthepurposeofproviding assistancedirectlytoany
27 student admitted to an educational institution. "State student financial aid" shall
28 include, but not be limited to, scholarships, loans, grants, or wages.
29 3. No person shall be subjected to discrimination based on the person's hair
30 texture or protective hairstyle, if that protective hairstyle or texture is commonly
31 associated with a particular race or origin, in any program or activity conducted by an
32 educational institution that receives or benefits from state financial assistance or enrolls
33 pupils who receive state student financial aid; provided, however, that such institution
34 may require the use of hair nets or coverings or may require that hair be secured for
35 safety purposes in any career and technical training course or class to comply with
36 safety regulations and standards of the course or class throughout the duration of the
37 course or class.
38 4. The provisions of subsection 3 of this section shall not apply to an educational
39 institution that is controlled by a religious organization if the application of such
40 provision would not be consistent with the religious tenets of that organization.
✔
HB 284 2