Moments before Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a ban on race-based discrimination over hairstyle into law, House Speaker Joanna McClinton recalled how as a young attorney, she would take great care to get her hair done in a bid to look professional in court.

“There was no other way to go into court,” said McClinton, D-Delaware, the first Black woman to serve as House speaker in Pennsylvania. “I mean, I was already fighting for people’s lives, literally. So I thought, and it was my understanding for me to have the respect of the judge, and of the jury, that I needed to look a certain way every single day.”

Nine years ago, McClinton said, she decided to try a more natural look for her hair. “I’ll tell you, and may she continue to rest in power, the biggest critic … was my granny. My granny said, ‘Now, um, what are your constituents going to say about all of this?'” McClinton recalled, while adding that her mother wondered aloud what legislation like the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act will accomplish.

Standing in a West Philadelphia hair salon, McClinton said the legislation will ensure that Black job candidates will have less cause to worry that they won’t get hired due to their hairstyle and once they have jobs they will be less likely to see job opportunities pass them by due to discrimination.

“I don’t know if the headlines get to heaven, but if they do, I hope my grandmother gets to see this moment. Because this is an exciting time,” McClinton said.

Shapiro signed the CROWN Act, House Bill 439, into law as Act 54, but made it clear it was the effort of McClinton and state Rep. La’Tasha Mayes, D-Allegheny, that got the bill to his desk. The House passed HB 439 by a 194-8 vote in March. The Senate didn’t approve the bill until last week, after lawmakers had agreed to a deal to end the four-month budget impasse.

McClinton was joined by her goddaughter Lorel Banfield at Tuesday’s press conference.

“For a long time, she’s been on my screensaver and the governor’s my witness. We were having a discussion where there were no cameras and no press and no people, and I said, ‘This is Lorel. She wears beautiful locks. And before she’s old enough to apply for a job, I hope we can change the law in Pennsylvania.’ That was just three weeks ago. You know, people ask, what changed? What happened? I’m not gonna say what happened, but, Lorel, you had to be here because you were a part of my advocacy,” McClinton said.

McClinton authored versions of the CROWN Act in prior sessions but after she became speaker in 2023, she asked Mayes to serve as prime sponsor of the legislation in this legislative session. Pennsylvania is now the 28th state with legislation barring racial discrimination due to hairstyle, Shapiro said.

“They worked on this for six years,” Shapiro said. “I think it’s important to note that in some people’s minds, they might not fit that definition of what ‘professional’ looks like. But, listen, they are not only professional, they are powerful. And they are looking out, not just for themselves, but little girls and others all across Pennsylvania who just want a fair shot.”

The legislation provides that the discrimination protections based on race also includes hair texture and protective hairstyles. The legislation expands protections against religious discrimination and includes the right to wear hair coverings and hairstyles associated with religious creeds.

The legislation allows businesses to enact workplace health and safety rules as long as the policy is not being used for discriminatory reasons and that the rules are tailored specifically for the job or activity involved. Any workplace safety rule must also be applied equally to all workers doing the same type of jobs.

The bill takes effect in 60 days.