COLUMBUS, Ohio - Alaska has a state law protecting individuals, mostly Black people, from discrimination for wearing braids, locs and twists – legislation known as the CROWN Act. So does Nebraska. And Texas.

In total, 28 states have passed the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act.

But not Ohio.

State Rep. Juanita Brent, a Cleveland Democrat, has tried three times to get such a law passed. Now she’s trying again.

Brent introduced her bill for a fourth time on Aug. 13 with bipartisan support. It would prohibit discrimination against students wearing protective hair styles in traditional public and charter schools and public preschools. The student alleging discrimination could sue in any court having jurisdiction over the matter.

Last legislative session, t

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