Designates July 3 of each year as "CROWN Act Day" in NJ.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Annette Quijano and 2 co-sponsors

Designates July 3 as CROWN Act Day in New Jersey and urges the Governor to issue annual proclamations to raise awareness of hair discrimination in work and school.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee

#commemoratio #minority

AJR 152 — Summary

What the bill does

AJR 152 is a joint resolution that designates July 3 of each year as “CROWN Act Day” in New Jersey. It calls on the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs. The resolution takes effect immediately.

Purpose and context

The bill commemorates the CROWN Act (Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair), which addresses discrimination based on hair texture or protective styles in the workplace and educational settings.

New Jersey enacted the CROWN Act in 2019 (designated December 16, 2019, and signed into law December 19, 2019), making NJ one of the earliest states to pass the measure.

The resolution emphasizes ongoing concerns about hair-based discrimination and uses July 3 to highlight the Act’s impact and importance.

Key provisions

Designation: July 3 of each year is designated as “CROWN Act Day” in New Jersey.

Observance: The Governor is requested to issue annually a proclamation urging public officials and New Jersey residents to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.

Effective date: The designation takes effect immediately.

Background and supporting information

The bill’s statement cites studies and data on hair discrimination:

African-American women are 80% more likely to alter their natural hair to meet workplace norms.
Women are 1.5 times more likely to have been sent home (or know someone who was) due to hair.
African-American women’s hair is 3.4 times more likely to be perceived as unprofessional.
African-American women are 30% more likely to be aware of a formal appearance policy.
A 2019–2021 JOY Collective study notes that 86% of African-American teens who experience discrimination report hair-based discrimination by age 12.

The resolution references a historic case (2018 incident involving a student denied entry to a wrestling match unless he cut dreadlocks) and frames hair discrimination as an ongoing barrier in work and education.

Affected parties

While largely symbolic, the designation aims to raise awareness among employers, schools, and the broader public about hair discrimination and the protections under the CROWN Act.

It complements existing law rather than creating new legal requirements.

Procedural and timeline notes

Introduced: February 22, 2024.

Committee: Referred to Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee.

Related legislation: SJR 61 (companion bill) exists.

Status: Introduced in the Assembly; non-binding joint resolution designating a commemorative day.

Overall significance

AJR 152 serves to codify a yearly civic observance in New Jersey that reinforces the goals of the CROWN Act and promotes public awareness of hair discrimination issues in workplaces and schools. It is a symbolic designation with a broad educational and advocacy purpose, rather than a change in substantive law.