Georgia Lawmaker Seeks To Block Hair-Based Discrimination

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January 22nd, 2020

Charlotte “Peaches” Smith, owner of the Dreadlocks Salon in Oakland, California, works on a customer’s dreadlocks last year. California became the first state to ban workplace and school discrimination against people for wearing hairstyles such as braids, twists and locks. State Sen. Tonya Anderson has filed a similar bill in Georgia.

Terry Chea / Associated Press file

A Georgia state senator has filed a bill to block hair-based discrimination for people at work, school or who are seeking housing.

The bill filed by state Sen. Tonya Anderson, a Democrat representing Lithonia, would protect people who have “braids, locks, twists, or other textured hairdressing historically associated with an individual’s race,” news outlets reported.

Violators could face lawsuits, civil fines or penalties, WXIA-TV reported. Similar legislation has been passed in California, New York and New Jersey, according to news outlets.

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