On May 27, 2023, Governor Abbott signed into law H.B. No. 567, known as the CROWN Act. It will go into effect September 1, 2023.

The CROWN Act amends the Texas Labor Code to prohibit racial discrimination based on hair texture or protective hairstyle. Protective hairstyle includes braids, locks and twists. Accordingly, employers and others covered by the Texas Labor Code cannot discriminate against individuals based on hair texture or protective hairstyle, and cannot adopt or enforce a dress or grooming policy that discriminates against a hair texture or protective hairstyle commonly or historically associated with race.

The CROWN Act also amends the Texas Education Code to prohibit the hair texture and hairstyle discrimination against students by school districts and institutions of higher learning, and amends the Texas Property Code to prohibit the same discrimination relating to housing practices.