Seyfarth Synopsis: New York City
recently published regulations finalizing its prior guidance
regarding race-based hairstyle discrimination, and also confirming
that religious-based hairstyle discrimination, including for
religious head coverings, is prohibited under the NYC Human Rights
Law. The Final Rule is effective as of January 30,
2021.
Effective January 30, 2021, the New York City Commission on
Human Rights (“Commission”) amended Title 47 of the
Rules of the City of New York to provide example and add exceptions
to clarify protections on the basis of race, creed, and religion,
related to hair textures, hairstyles, including the use of head
coverings, and hair lengths, which are commonly or historically
associated with a particular race, creed, or religion.
