HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania lawmakers took a major step toward banning discrimination based on hair texture and style on Tuesday as the state Senate approved the CROWN Act via a bipartisan 44–3 vote and sending it to the governor's desk.

The act's name stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair and would amend the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to prohibit discrimination tied to a person's hair type, texture or style. The measure passed the House with broad bipartisan support earlier this year, 194-8, according to the bill's sponsors.

Rep. La'Tasha D. Mayes (D-Allegheny) and House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D-Phila) introduced the bill, which Mayes said marked a milestone for her and for residents affected by race-based hair discrimination.

McClinton said the b

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