Indiana would count protective hairstyles as part of race

Indiana would include hair texture and protective hairstyles associated with race in its civil rights definition of race. The civil rights law applies to covered jobs, education, and other settings such as housing. The law generally covers employers with at least six workers and excludes certain religious, fraternal, and social organizations. The proposed definition would take effect on July 1, 2026.

Indiana would include hair texture and protective hairstyles associated with race in its school-law definition of race and a separate legal definition. The school-law definition applies across its title except eight listed sections. The other definition appears in IC 21-7-13. Examples of protective hairstyles include Afros, braids, and locks; tightly curled or coiled hair also counts. Both definitions would take effect on July 1, 2026.