Puerto Rico Enacts Law Banning Discrimination Against Natural Afro-Textured Hairstyles

Governor Pierluisi's landmark bill protects styles such as afros, locs, and cornrows, ensuring equality for Afro-Caribbean community in public and private institutions

Senate Bill 1282 applies to all private and public institutions, requiring all establishments to tailor their policies and regulations to comply with the new mandate. The legislation comes after more than three years of effort from several grass-roots organizations.‌

At a public hearing in January, lawmakers heard from members of Puerto Rico’s Afro-Caribbean community how exhausting it is to deal with the constant scrutiny and derision that comes from choosing to wear their hair in its natural state. “I’m very disappointed with a system that pushes us to change the hair with which we’re born,” said Julia Llanos Bultrón, a 23-year old teacher who styles her hair in cornrows. She recounted receiving a job offer predicated on her cutting her hair. She declined the opportunity.