A trial is underway over a Black student punished by Texas school district because of his hairstyle

Darryl George, a 17-year-old junior, before walking across the street to go into Barbers Hill High School after serving a 5-day in-school suspension for not cutting his hair, Sept. 18, 2023, in Mont Belvieu, Texas. A trial is set to be held Thursday, Feb. 21, 2024, to determine if George can continue being punished by his district for refusing to change his hairstyle, which he and his family say is protected by a new state law that prohibits race-based hair discrimination. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke, File)

A trial began Thursday to determine if a Texas school district can continue to punish a Black high school student for refusing to change his hairstyle that he and his family say is protected by a new state law that prohibits race-based hair discrimination.

At issue is whether Darryl George’s monthslong punishment for violating his Houston-area school district’s dress code limiting the length of boys’ hair violates the CROWN Act.

The Barbers Hill school district filed a lawsuit seeking clarification of the new law. The bench trial is scheduled to last one day. State District Judge Chap Cain III is expected to issue a decision soon after its conclusion.