WEST virginia legislature

2024 regular session

Committee Substitute

for

Senate Bill 496

By Senators Caputo, Woelfel, and Trump

[Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary; reported February 23, 2024]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §5-11-21, relating to clarifying that racial discrimination includes discrimination based on certain hair textures and hairstyles historically associated with a particular race; and defining term.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 11. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION.

§5-11-21. Racial discrimination based on certain hair textures and hairstyles; definitions.

(a) For the purposes of this article, discrimination based on race includes, but is not limited to, discrimination based on hair textures and protective hairstyles historically associated with a particular race.

(b) The term "protective hairstyles" includes, but is not limited to, hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists.