New Mexico: The CROWN Act (HB10)
Adopted: March 2021 Bill Number: HB10 Governor: Michelle Lujan Grisham Status: Enacted
New Mexico enacted its CROWN Act in March 2021 when Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed HB10, extending hair discrimination protections to the Southwest. The legislation prohibits discrimination based on natural hair texture and protective hairstyles across employment and education.
Key Provisions
New Mexico Human Rights Act amendment. HB10 amends the state’s Human Rights Act to include hair texture and protective hairstyles within the definition of race-based protections.
Employment and education. The bill covers both workplace decisions and school grooming policies, protecting workers and students from discrimination based on natural hair.
Human Rights Bureau enforcement. The New Mexico Human Rights Bureau, within the Department of Workforce Solutions, has jurisdiction over complaints filed under the amended act.
New Mexico Context
New Mexico’s adoption is significant given the state’s unique demographic composition. With a majority-minority population that includes significant Hispanic, Native American, and African American communities, hair discrimination affects residents across multiple ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The state’s multicultural context underscores the universal nature of hair discrimination protections.
New Mexico’s adoption alongside Connecticut in March 2021 continued the CROWN Act movement’s expansion into diverse geographic and demographic contexts. The state’s enactment demonstrated that hair discrimination legislation was relevant beyond states with large African American populations, reflecting the reality that hair-based bias affects people of many backgrounds.
For the broader legislative progression, see the CROWN Act timeline. For analysis of the data driving the movement, see Data Behind the CROWN Act.
For detailed legal analysis of New Mexico’s CROWN Act provisions, contact [email protected].