Filing a Discrimination Claim Under Maryland’s CROWN Act

Maryland’s CROWN Act prohibits employers from discriminating against job applicants and employees based on race-related hair textures and hairstyles. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 also prohibits hair-related discrimination. If you have a claim, you may need to hire a Maryland race discrimination lawyer to help you file a claim with the MCCR or EEOC.

Maryland passed the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act in 2020. This law clarifies that race discrimination in employment includes discriminatory practices related to hair textures and hairstyles that are “associated with race.”

If you believe your employer (or a prospective employer) has violated the CROWN Act, consult an experienced Maryland race discrimination lawyer promptly. CROWN Act violations can also violate federal law; if you have grounds to file a claim, it’s important to decide how best to proceed.

What Qualifies as a Violation of Maryland’s CROWN Act?

The CROWN Act expanded Maryland’s definition of race discrimination to expressly include discrimination based on “hair texture, afro hairstyles, and protective hairstyles.” The law defines protective hairstyles as including “braids, twists, and locks.”

Employers that are covered under the CROWN Act (i.e., those with 15 or more employees) are prohibited from making any employment-related decisions based on employees’ and job applicants’ hair textures and hairstyles. This includes (but is not limited to) decisions related to:

• Hiring, placement and compensation
• Pay raises and promotions
• Job and location assignments
• Benefits and job-related privileges (i.e., interacting with customers or working from home)
• Termination of employment

Violations of Maryland’s CROWN Act may also violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII). As the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) explains, “[d]iscrimination on the basis of an immutable characteristic associated with race, such as . . . hair texture, . . . violates Title VII, even though not all members of the race share the same characteristic.” This means that job applicants and employees who have claims under the CROWN Act may have claims under Title VII as well.

How Do I File a Claim Under Maryland’s CROWN Act?

If you believe your employer, former employer, or a company where you unsuccessfully applied for a job violated your rights under the CROWN Act, consult a Maryland race discrimination lawyer about your legal options. In this scenario, asserting your legal rights may involve:

• Filing a Complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) – The MCCR handles discrimination claims under Maryland state law, including claims under the CROWN Act. As the MCCR explains, “[i]f you believe you are a victim of unlawful discrimination . . . [t]he first step in MCCR’s complaint process is to submit a complaint inquiry, often referred to as a Preliminary Questionnaire.” If you are eligible to file a complaint with the MCCR, a Maryland race discrimination lawyer at our firm can prepare and file your Preliminary Questionnaire on your behalf.
• Filing a Charge of Discrimination with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) – Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may also be eligible to file a complaint (or “Charge of Discrimination”) with the EEOC. In this scenario, our lawyers can handle your complaint and work with the EEOC as it investigates your allegations of race-based hair discrimination.

Strict deadlines apply to claims filed with the MCCR and the EEOC. Prompt action can also help prove your discrimination claim. As a result, if you think you may have a claim, we strongly recommend speaking with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.  

FAQs: Filing an Employment Discrimination Claim Under the CROWN Act

Does the CROWN Act apply to all types of hairstyles?

The CROWN Act applies to all hairstyles that are “associated with race.” While the law specifically mentions afro hairstyles, braids, twists, and locks, it does not apply only to these hairstyles.

How can I prove that my employer discriminated against me because of my hair?

To prove your employer discriminated against you because of your hair, you’ll need to present evidence to the MCCR or the EEOC. Emails, direct messages, employment records, statements from coworkers, and various other forms of evidence can be used to prove discriminatory employment practices. Once you hire an experienced Maryland race discrimination lawyer, they can determine what evidence is available.

What remedies are available under Maryland’s CROWN Act?

If you have a claim under the CROWN Act, you may be entitled to back pay, compensatory damages for your emotional distress, and additional forms of monetary compensation. You may also be entitled to placement or reinstatement, if desired. Our lawyers can assess your claim’s value and help you decide which remedies to pursue.

How Our Race Discrimination Lawyers Can Help

Even if you clearly have a claim under Maryland’s CROWN Act, asserting your legal rights won’t be easy. That’s why you need an experienced Maryland race discrimination lawyer on your side. Our lawyers can determine whether you have a claim and, if you do, take the necessary legal action on your behalf. This includes:

• Determining what evidence is available to prove your legal rights;
• Calculating the damages you are entitled to recover;
• Helping you decide which remedies to pursue;
• Filing your claim with the MCCR or EEOC; and
• Protecting your legal rights while fighting for the outcome you deserve.

Schedule a Confidential Consultation with an Experienced Maryland Race Discrimination Lawyer

Do you need to know more about filing a discrimination claim under Maryland’s CROWN Act? If so, contact us promptly. To schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced Maryland race discrimination lawyer at The Law Firm of J.W. Stafford, LLC, call 410-514-6099 or contact us online today.