SB 479

This bill makes changes to various areas of the law to prohibit discrimination

based on a person's hairstyle, including a “protective hairstyle,” which is defined in

the bill to include braids, locs, and twists. The bill also defines “race” to include traits

historically associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles.

Under current law, discrimination because of race is prohibited in employment,

housing, education, service as a juror, adoption, and the equal enjoyment of a public

place of accommodation or amusement. This bill prohibits discrimination based on

a person's hairstyle in employment, housing, education, service as a juror, adoption,

and the equal enjoyment of a public place of accommodation or amusement.

Current law also prohibits motor carriers, automobile insurers, mortgage

bankers, mortgage loan originators, mortgage brokers, and real estate brokers and

salespersons from discriminating against a person on the basis of race; prohibits

discrimination based on race in the provision of vocational rehabilitation or mental

health services; and prohibits the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents

from investing gifts, grants, and bequests in companies that practice discrimination

on the basis of race.

This bill prohibits motor carriers, automobile insurers, mortgage bankers,

mortgage loan originators, mortgage brokers, and real estate brokers and

salespersons from discriminating against a person on the basis of hairstyle; prohibits

discrimination based on hairstyle in the provision of vocational rehabilitation or

mental health services; and prohibits the UW System Board of Regents from

investing gifts, grants, and bequests in companies that practice discrimination on

the basis of hairstyle.