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Minutes for SB36 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Amending the definition of ancestry in the Kansas act against discrimination to include traits historically associated with ancestry, including hair texture and protective hairstyles.
Minutes Content for Thu, Jan 11, 2024
Jason Long, Office of the Revisor of Statutes gave an overview of the bill. He stated the bill would amend the Kansas Act Against Discrimination to clarify and define the term "ancestry" as a protected class. Under SB36, the term "is inclusive of traits historically associated with a person's ancestry and includes hair texture and protective hairstyles". (Attachment 1)
Following questions of the revisor, the Chairman called for oral proponent testimony.
Proponent Oral Testimony
Rep. Stephanie Clayton spoke as a proponent of the bill. She stated parents should not be spending money on hair products to conform to societal expectations, when they could spend that money on food and education. (Attachment 2)
Stacy Knoell, Executive Director, Kansas African American Affairs Commission, spoke as a proponent of the bill. She related the story of her personal hair journey, and explained how her two year old daughter told her she wanted "princess hair", but that hair "does not grow out of her head". She said she used to treat her hair, but now has twists which is a protective hairstyle, and has now learned to love and embrace her hair. She believes the Crown Act would send a message that Kansas is a welcoming place where all styles are embraced and accepted. (Attachment 3)
Amber Sellers, City Commissioner, Lawrence, Kansas, spoke as a proponent of the bill. She explained how the city of Lawrence went about passing an ordinance against hair discrimination. She commented she has to deep condition her hair and sometimes it needs a rest, and she has to wear it naturally. She dislikes unsolicited critiques about her hair, and said many black women experience that, and hair does not reflect one's ability to do their job. (Attachment 4)
Ruth Glover, Executive Director, Kansas Human Rights Commission, spoke as neutral on the bill. She stated they are contacted when school children are involved in alleged cases of discrimination, but wanted to make the point that they are not a resource when school children are involved. They do not fall under their jurisdiction due to a Kansas Supreme Court Ruling in 1988, and the Human Rights Commission must refer school complaints to the US Department of Education Office of Civil Rights. (Attachment 5)
Representative Ford Carr spoke as a proponent of the bill. He stated that he looks different now, than he did when he was first a legislator, because he grew his hair during COVID. He said he would like to thank his colleagues, because none of them commented when he came back last session, on the fact that he had his hair in straight backs. "I wasn't discriminated against in this body at all." No written testimony was provided.
Tadonne Neal, private citizen, spoke as a proponent of the bill. She stated she wears her hair naturally, which allows it to rest from continued manipulation, and so she doesn't have to do her hair every morning. She stated that if her employer were to ask her to change her hair, she would feel like she didn't fit in, it would bring her morale down, and cost her a lot of money to treat it. (Attachment 6)
Michele Watley, Founder, Shirley's Kitchen Cabinet, spoke as a proponent of the bill. She stated there are economic ramifications to not passing this legislation. She said a recent study by the Kansas Chamber indicated there is a talent drain to neighboring states, and the report indicated Kansas could increase its talent pool by sending a message to potential employees that we welcome a diverse workforce. She then said black women spend one billion dollars yearly to straighten their hair and she couldn't find that Kansas has a hair straightening manufacturing business. (Attachment 7)
Written Only Proponent Testimony
Aonya Kendrick Barnett, private citizen (Attachment 8)
Monice Crawford, President, The Topeka Chapter of The Links, Inc. (Attachment 9)
Mary Dean, President, Kansas Justice Advocate (Attachment 10)
Donnavan Dillon, private citizen (Attachment 11)
Glenda DuBoise, State Director, AARP Kansas (Attachment 12)
Timothy R. Graham, Director of Government Relations and Legislative Affairs, Kansas National Educational Association (Attachment 13)
Olivia Hayse, private citizen (Attachment 14)
Cameron Johnson, private citizen (Attachment 15)
Nathan J. Madden, Ph.D., Impact Strategist - Policy, Health Forward Foundation (Attachment 16)
Charmaine McGaugh, private citizen (Attachment 17)
Sheila Officer, RPCAB Chair (Attachment 18)
Adrienne Olejnik, Vice President, Kansas Action for Children (Attachment 19)
Dr. Glenda Overstreet Vaughn, Political Action Committee Chair, NAACP Kansas State Conference and Kenya Cox, President, Kansas NAACP (Attachment 20)
Dr. Glenda Overstreet Vaughn, Founder, Kansas People of Color Action Coalition (Attachment 21)
Samara Sayid, private citizen (Attachment 22)
Suldano Sayid, private citizen (Attachment 23)
Denise Sherman, Executive Director, The Kansas African American Museum (Attachment 24)
Melissa Stiehler, Loud Light Civic Action (Attachment 25)
Maaskelah Thomas, Ph.D., private citizen (Attachment 26)
Sharon Watley, private citizen (Attachment 27)
Karen Wright, private citizen (Attachment 28)
Written only Neutral Testimony
William Wilk, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Kansas Chamber (Attachment 29)
Kyle Russell, Kansas State Council of SHRM, Inc. (Society for Human Resource Management) (Attachment 30)
Following a period of questions and answers, the Chairman closed the hearing on SB36, and adjourned the meeting at 11:34 am.
