The Alaska State Senate passed a committee substitute for Senate Bill 174 relating to dress codes and natural hairstyles. It amended state statute by adding a new section stating that a governing body may not adopt a school dress code prohibiting a student from wearing a hairstyle that is commonly or historically associated with race, including wearing headwraps. It also says a governing body may not adopt code prohibiting a student from wearing a natural hairstyle, regardless of the student’s hair texture or type.
Sen. David Wilson (Wasilla) said:
“No employee or student should be prohibited from participating in work or attending school because they are wearing their natural hair, nor should they feel like they are in a petting zoo. People choose to wear their natural hair for many reasons, including cultural connectiveness, protection of hair, texture, and growth, or just simply the preference. Whatever the reason, hairstyle has no correlation to workplace performance or professionalism. One study has shown that people of color change their hair from its natural state just to fit in the office. Another study last year, confirmed the truth that many folks of color suspected and grapple with today that in job recruitment, natural hairstyles put them at a disadvantage from getting interviewed and subsequently hired. Senate Bill 174 defines what standards are acceptable for school districts and employers to place on hair to help end this type of discrimination.”
In passing the legislation, a new section would be added to state statute to read that an employer may not adopt a workplace dress code that prohibits an employee from wearing a natural hairstyle, regardless of the employee’s hair type or texture. ‘Natural hairstyle’ is defined to include braids, locs, twists, tight coils, afros, cornrows, and bantu knots.
The bill passed on a 13-1 vote and is transmitted to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Transcribed audio courtesy of KTOO 360TV.