Page 8 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, July 22, 2022 Mass. State Legislature Enacts The CROWN Act in Final Steps to Ban Race-based Discrimination in the Commonwealth Representative Steven Ultrino’s bill to prohibit discrimination of natural and protective hairstyles has been enacted by both Senate and House, and now goes to Governor Baker’s desk for final approval B OSTON – Monday, July 18, 2022 – After the House enacted H.4554, An Act prohibiting discrimination based on natural and protective hairstyles – better known as Massachusetts’ version of The CROWN Act last Thursday, the Senate has followed suit and enacted the legislation. The bill was initially filed last session by Representative Steven Ultrino with the endorsement of the National CROWN Coalition in an effort to prohibit race-based hair discrimination throughout the Commonwealth. With the support of co-filers Representative Chyna Tyler, Senators Sal DiDomenico, and Adam Gomez, the CROWN Act as gained significant momentum this session – passing the House and Senate unanimously earlier this Spring. The bill would define natural and protective hairstyles in statute, as well as prohibit any form of discrimination and policy restricting these respective hairstyles in schools, employment, housing, and business settings. This legislation would also expand criminal law prohibiting assault and battery for purposes of intimidation to include natural and protective hairstyles, while adding natural and protective hairstyles to hate crime data collection and reporting requirements. Minor changes were made to the legislation following the Senate passage and conference committee negotiations which applies the provisions of the bill to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association and similar entities, as well as clarifying legal safeguards for protective hairstyles in addition to natural hairstyles. “I am proud to see the progress, momentum, and success the CROWN Act has experienced in this session. As a legislator, it is my duty to represent the people of my community and to ensure everyone, regardless of their racial and cultural identity, has “Today, marks a great day Steven Ultrino State Representative equal access to quality education, a professional career and a path to success,” said Representative Steven Ultrino (D – Malden). “The CROWN Act will put an end to the unjust treatment experienced by women of color across the Commonwealth and make it clear that race-based discrimination, in all forms, has no place in our communities. Again, I would like to thank my staff, advocates, and community leaders for the tremendous efforts and determination, without which this bill would never have made such progress. I look forward to the bill being signed into law by Governor Baker.” Everett Aluminum 10 Everett Ave., Everett 617-389-3839 Owned & operated by the Conti family since 1958 • 57 Years! family since 1958 • 64 “Same name, phone number & address for over half a century. We must be doing something right!” •Vinyl Siding •Free Estimates •Carpentry Work •Fully Licensed •Decks •Roofing • Fully Insured • Replacement Windows www.everettaluminum.com Now’s the time to schedule those home improvement projects you’ve been dreaming about all winter! for Black and Brown Communities throughout Massachusetts. Today, both the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Senate has enacted an important piece of legislation in the fight against systemic racism,” said Representative Chynah Tyler (D – Boston), Chair of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus. “Women and girls will no longer need to live in fear of facing repercussions in schools, workplaces, and other institutions based on the way they choose to wear their hair. I would like to thank my colleagues in both branches of the legislature for helping enact this legislation.” With overwhelming support and dedication from the National CROWN Coalition, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, ACLU Massachusetts, New England Blacks in Philanthropy, and many others, Massachusetts will become one of 14 states to pass legislation prohibiting race-based hair discrimination. H.4554 was enacted by the House last Thursday and has been enacted by the Senate this afternoon. The bill now stands to be delivered to the Governor’s desk for final approval and signing. Summer is Here!
9 Publizr Home