Legislation heads to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s desk for his signature relating to dress code and natural hairstyles. The Senate voted to concur with the house amendments for SB 174, which would prohibit a governing body from adopting a school dress code that would prohibit a student from wearing a hairstyle that is associated with race.
Sen. David Wilson, a cosponsor for the legislation told the Senate floor:
“I’ll be voting yes today not because I support some of the changes that happened in the other body, but we are running out of time this session and I support where the bill as it stands, no matter how incremental this is. This bill as drafted still protects our children of color. Just because you have not personally experienced discrimination does not mean discrimination does not exist. Racism in the workplace is not going away and I expect future work on this issue.”
Sen. Tom Begich added:
“I also wanted to take exception to the changes made in the other body weakening the bill, making it less supportive of the intent of the bill, which is to reduce discrimination in particular in our schools. I think sometimes in a zealous desire to change the legislation that this body had looked at extensively, in a zealous attempt to just have their fingerprints on the legislation, sometimes changes are made that are damaging and not in the best interests of the bill as a whole. Nonetheless, it’s a good first step and we should be supporting this concurrence vote.”
The bill would prevent a governing body to adopt a school dress code that would prohibit a student from wearing a natural hairstyle, regardless of hair texture or type. Natural hair includes braids, locs, twists, tight coils, afros, cornrows, and bantu knots. It also would prevent code that prohibits a student from wearing traditional tribal regalia or objecting of cultural significance at a graduation ceremony.
The legislation is on the way to Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s desk.
Transcribed audio courtesy of KTOO 360TV.