The CROWN Act Signed into Law by Governor Baker

Representative Steven Ultrino’s bill to prohibit discrimination of natural and protective hairstyles has successfully been signed by the Governor

BOSTON – After the State Legislature enacted H.4554, An Act prohibiting discrimination based on natural and protective hairstyles – better known as Massachusetts’ version of The CROWN Act last Monday, Governor Baker has signed the legislation into law. The bill was first filed last session by Representative Steven Ultrino with the endorsement of the National CROWN Coalition and received increased support from advocates, community members, legal experts as well as Senate and House members this session.

Massachusetts will now join 17 other states to codify the definition of natural and protective hairstyle and protect its residents from being denied employment and educational opportunities because of their hair texture. Discrimination and policies restricting these respective hairstyles in schools, employment, housing, and business settings will now be prohibited in the Commonwealth. This legislation would also expand criminal law prohibiting assault and battery for purposes of intimidation to include natural and protective hairstyles, while adding natural and protective hairstyles to hate crime data collection and reporting requirements.

“Today is a historic day for Massachusetts. When my staff and I first drafted this bill last session, we were inspired by Mya and Deanna’s bravery and resilience,” said Representative Steven Ultrino (D – Malden). “That bravery and resilience have brought us here today, changing lives of Black and Brown communities all across the state. I am proud to be a sponsor of the bill and I look forward to the state legislature continuing its efforts toward empowering communities of color and ensuring equitable living standards in our Commonwealth.”

“Today, marks a great day for Black and Brown Communities throughout Massachusetts. Today, this important piece of legislation in the fight against systemic racism has been signed into law by our Governor” said Representative Chynah Tyler (D–Boston), Chair of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus. “Women and girls will no longer need to live in fear of facing repercussions in schools, workplaces, and other institutions based on the way they choose to wear their hair. I would like to thank my colleagues in both branches of the legislature for helping take this bill across the finish line.”

“This really all started when we were in high school and our school banned us from wearing our hair in box braids. When that happened, me and Mya decided to get the school to change the rule. They were very adamant, and we had to protest and do detention sit-ins, to do postcard campaigns and fight to get the rule changed in our school. It sparked a movement for us to push to never have this happen to anyone else again,” said Deanna Cook, one of the Malden residents whose experiences became the inspiration behind the CROWN Act. “All the support for this just feels so amazing. It feels like everyone is ready for this to be a law. Back in 2017, it did not feel like that, so to be here in 2022 is just amazing,” said Mya Cook, sister of Deanna who stood beside her sister against the hair discrimination they faced at school.

With overwhelming support and dedication from the National CROWN Coalition, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, ACLU Massachusetts, New England Blacks in Philanthropy, and many others, Massachusetts will become the 18th state to pass similar legislation prohibiting race-based hair discrimination.

H.4554 was enacted by the House on July 14 and by the Senate on July 18. The bill has been signed by Governor Baker July 26 at 2 p.m. and has been made law in Massachusetts. A recording of the signing can be found here (https://youtu.be/iDQ_xKAugxs).

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Please direct any press questions to Legislative Aide, Claudia Chung (claudia.chung@mahouse.gov)

Massachusetts House Unanimously Passes The CROWN Act, Bans Race-based Discrimination in the State

Malden House delegation voted in support of Representative Steven Ultrino’s bill to prohibit discrimination of natural and protective hairstyles

MALDEN – Wednesday, March 23, 2022 – Last Thursday, The House passed H.4554, An Act prohibiting discrimination based on natural and protective hairstyles – better known as Massachusetts’ version of The CROWN Act. The bill was filed by Representatives Steven Ultrino and Chyna Tyler with the endorsement of the National CROWN Coalition in efforts to prohibit race-based hair discrimination throughout the Commonwealth. The Malden House delegation stood united in support of this critical legislation, with Representatives Paul Donato and Kate Lipper-Garabedian voting alongside other members to pass The CROWN Act in Massachusetts.

The bill was approved by the House and would define natural and protective hairstyles in statute, as well as prohibit any form of discrimination and policy restricting these respective hairstyles in schools, employment, housing, and business settings. This legislation would also expand criminal law prohibiting assault and battery for purposes of intimidation to include natural and protective hairstyles, while adding natural and protective hairstyles to hate crime data collection and reporting requirements. Shortly following the bill’s passage in the Massachusetts House, the United States House of Representatives followed suite by passing the federal version of the legislation in a vote of 235-189.

“This is an historic moment for Massachusetts. The success of the CROWN Act on the federal level speaks to its significant impact but also shows how this is a shared experience amongst many across the nation. I am beyond delighted that the CROWN Act passed unanimously in the House, and words cannot describe how great it is to see the years of hard work from advocates, staff, legislators and community members bear fruit,” said Representative Steven Ultrino (D–Malden). “We have sent a clear message: race-based discrimination has no place in our Commonwealth. With our votes, we ensured that a person’s racial and cultural identity will no longer be an obstacle to their education, professional career, and path to success. I am confident that the bill will be well received in the Senate with the support of Senators Gomez and DiDomenico. Lastly, I would like to thank Speaker Mariano, Chair Michlewitz, Chair Day and Representative Tyler for their support and guidance throughout this journey.”

"Today, marks a great day for Black & Brown communities throughout the Commonwealth,” said Representative Chynah Tyler (D–Boston), Chair of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus. “Black women are more policed in the workplace than any other racial or ethnic group based on the way they choose to wear their hair. The passing of this legislation gets us one step closer to ending a barrier for communities of color in Massachusetts."

“I am proud to join the unanimous House in passing the CROWN Act,” said Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D–Melrose). “When enacted, this legislation will end racial discrimination against natural and culturally significant hairstyles. I’m particularly mindful of the importance of this legislation for our young people who should feel embraced and empowered in their identity – from the classroom to the corporate boardroom.”

“The passing of the CROWN Act is an important step in ensuring that workplaces, schools, and places of housing across the commonwealth are creating safe and non-discriminatory environments,” said Representative Paul Donato (D–Medford). “These racist practices, often targeted at black women, are a continued attempt to override our anti-discrimination laws. We must remain committed to tearing down the barriers that people of color overwhelmingly face in their professional and personal lives.”

With overwhelming support and dedication from the National CROWN Coalition, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, ACLU Massachusetts, New England Blacks in Philanthropy, and many others, Massachusetts is enroute to become one of 14 states to pass legislation prohibiting race-based hair discrimination.

H.4554 was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives with a 155-0 vote. It now stands to go to the Senate.

For more information, please contact:

Claudia Chung, Legislative Aide

Claudia.Chung@MAHouse.gov

(617) 722-2070

Massachusetts State House Passes $49.7 Billion FY’23 Budget

The House passed the fiscal year 2023 budget on Wednesday evening, including a total of $250,000 dedicated to expanding language access, housing assistance programs, public safety and more in Malden.

Monday, May 2 2022 - Last Wednesday, Representatives Steven Ultrino, Paul Donato, and Kate Lipper-Garabedian voted to pass the FY’23 House Budget H.4700, An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2023 for the maintenance of the departments, boards, commissions, institutions, and certain activities of the Commonwealth, for interest, sinking fund, and serial bond requirements, and for certain permanent improvements. The $49.7 billion spending bill was approved by the House and will balance addressing immediate needs in a post-pandemic world and a focus on sustainable long-term investments to help our economy recover. This year, legislators debated on 1,522 amendments across several spending categories. The final bill included earmarks, funding increases and mandates such as:

• $500,000 for the creation and development of the Genocide Education Trust Fund

• Outlawing the practice of Child Marriage in Massachusetts

• Establishing a common application portal for all state, need-based benefits programs

• Expanding the Medicare Savings Program to 250% of the Federal Poverty Line (FPL)

• A $60 million increase for the Residential Assistance to Families in Transition program (RAFT)

• $110 million investment to extend universal school meals through the 2022-2023 school year

• No Cost Calls legislation which allows incarcerated individuals in Massachusetts to make free domestic phone calls to their loved ones

• Allow for Chapter 70 flexibility where public school districts can carry over unused funds until June 30, 2024

The Malden delegation also filed several amendments requesting state funding for programs and services in Malden. As a result of the hard work and efforts of advocates, community organizations, and Malden legislators, the FY’23 House budget includes several key investments for Malden:

• $75,000 for Malden's Language Access Services, including translation of city websites, documents, and reports; and developing language style guides for non-romance languages

• $100,000 for the programs and operations of Housing Families in Malden

• $25,000 for new rescue equipment for the Malden Fire Department

“The FY’23 budget will invest billions in local, regional, and statewide programs, services, and resources while addressing rising challenges in a post-pandemic world,” said State Representative Steve Ultrino. “Significant steps have been taken to prioritize funding for communities in need across the Commonwealth and I am excited to see the City of Malden’s language access services funded by the budget. Thank you again to all my colleagues, Speaker Ron Mariano, and Chair Michlewitz for the tireless work on this spending bill.”

“Malden has secured funding for an array of important services in the 2023 budget. This important funding will help to improve housing, language access, and public safety services,” said Representative Paul Donato. “As always, it was great to work with Representative Lipper-Garabedian and Representative Ultrino, focusing on the most critical needs of the community to build an ever-improved Malden.”

“I’m glad to see a host of critical investments for Malden included in the House Budget,” said State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian. “Such investments -- which support a wide variety of populations including law enforcement, the housing insecure, and survivors of domestic violence -- reflect the resilient and diverse spirit of our City.”

The House FY’23 budget passed unanimously with a vote of 155-0. The Senate will begin the process for the Senate FY’23 budget in the coming weeks.

For more information, please contact:

Claudia Chung, Legislative Aide

Claudia.Chung@MAHouse.gov

(617) 722-2070