In a significant move addressing discriminatory practices, Governor Josh Shapiro will put pen to paper, signing House Bill 439, thereby banning discrimination on the basis of hair type, texture, or style in Pennsylvania, joining the ranks of 27 other states with similar laws.
The signing is set to take place at Island Design Natural Hair Studio, a local business whose existence is a testament to the beauty and diversity of natural hair; Governor Shapiro's action reflects his longstanding commitment to safeguard the rights and freedoms of all Pennsylvanians, a commitment that has been a defining feature of his career, according to information released on the PAcast official website.
Notable figures, including Lorraine Ruley, owner of Island Design Natural Hair Studio, Dr. Adjoa Asamoah, a prominent advocate of the "CROWN Act," as well as Speaker Joanna McClinton and Representative LaTasha Mayes, will be in attendance to mark this historic occasion, an occasion destined to have substantial impact on workplace and educational institutions policies across the commonwealth.
The signing is scheduled for Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 10:00 AM, demonstrating a unity of purpose and a shared vision for an inclusive and discrimination-free society, a society that embraces and celebrates the multifaceted tapestry of its people's identities; this vision, undeniably at the heart of the democratic enterprise, resonates throughout the state as Pennsylvanians witness the dismantling of yet another barrier to equality.
