The Albany County Legislature took action Monday to prevent further employment discrimination based on natural hair texture and/or the use of protective hairstyles in Albany County.

The local law, known as Creating a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair (CROWN), amends the Albany County Omnibus Human Rights Law to protect individuals who wear certain hairstyles including braids, locs, cornrows, twists, Bantu knots, poufs, Afros, as well as the use of turban wraps.

The Legislature found that although state law already prevents discrimination regarding certain hairstyles, other hairstyles worn by ethnic groups continue to be a source of prejudice that have had professional and economic consequences for individuals in Albany County.

“Unfortunately, we have heard complaints that individuals were being sent home because of their hair or because they were wearing wraps. Employers need to know that discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. I want to thank my colleagues for supporting this local law to ensure that our constituents are protected,” said Legislator Norma Chapman, who sponsored the legislation.

“With this law we are expanding the state law to include hairstyles that haven’t been considered. This has to do with race, specifically people of color and the hairstyles and/or wraps they wear, which have been scrutinized,” said Albany County Legislature Deputy Chairwoman Wanda Willingham. “Thanks you to the legislature for supporting this important measure.”