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SB 90

Civil rights: racial discrimination; discrimination based on traits historically associated with race such as hair texture; prohibit. Amends sec. 103 of 1976 PA 453 (MCL 37.2103).

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Sarah Anthony and 15 co-sponsors

Michigan law now explicitly prohibits employment and education discrimination based on hair texture and race-associated grooming traits, protecting Black workers and students from targeted appearance-based penalties.

ASSIGNED PA 0045'23 WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT
#civilrights:employmentdiscrimination #civilrights:generaldiscrimination #civilrights:racialdiscrimination
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Bill Summary · SB 90

Legislative bill overview

SB 90 amends Michigan's civil rights law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on hair texture and other traits historically associated with race. This expands protections under the 1976 Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to address grooming and appearance-based discrimination that disproportionately affects Black individuals and other racial minorities.

Why is this important

Hair-based discrimination has real employment and educational consequences—Black workers have faced discipline or termination for natural hairstyles, braids, or locs, while white employees with similar styles face no penalty. This law provides explicit legal recourse and clarifies that such discrimination violates civil rights protections, aligning Michigan with similar laws passed in California, New York, and other states.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope ambiguity: The phrase "traits historically associated with race" could be interpreted broadly, potentially creating litigation over what qualifies versus what constitutes legitimate grooming standards
  • Business compliance concerns: Some employers argue this limits their ability to enforce professional appearance codes and may create uncertainty about what dress codes remain legally defensible
  • Implementation burden: Schools and employers may need to update policies and training, raising questions about compliance resources and potential liability exposure for past practices

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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