Legislature(2021 - 2022)BARNES 124
04/20/2022 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB131 | |
| SB174 | |
| SB151 | |
| HB276 | |
| HB176 | |
| HB392 | |
| Workers' Compensation Appeals Commission | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 131 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 151 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 276 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 176 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 392 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | SB 174 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 174-ALLOW NATURAL HAIRSTYLES
3:21:08 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that the next order of business would
be CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 174(EDC), "An Act relating to dress
codes and natural hairstyles."
3:21:34 PM
The committee took an at-ease from 3:21 p.m. to 3:22 p.m.
3:22:05 PM
CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ, on behalf of Representative McCarty, moved to
adopt Amendment 1 to CSSB 174(EDC), labeled 32-LS1298\W.1, Marx,
4/8/22, which read:
Page 1, lines 6 - 7:
Delete "commonly or historically"
Page 2, lines 4 - 5:
Delete "commonly or historically"
3:22:19 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS objected for the purpose of discussion.
3:22:23 PM
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ explained that Amendment 1 would delete the
language "commonly or historically" from within the bill, which
are terms used to describe hairstyles. She noted that the
amendment was drafted in consultation with the bill sponsor.
3:22:42 PM
SENATOR DAVID WILSON, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor
of CSSB 174(EDC), stated he is supportive of Amendment 1. He
explained that there is confusion nationally when looking at
other states that have passed a CROWN Act [Create a Respectful
and Open World for Natural Hair Act], and it was felt that
deleting this language would make the bill a cleaner version.
3:23:00 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS removed his objection to Amendment 1. There
being no further objection, Amendment 1 was adopted.
3:23:09 PM
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ, on behalf of Representative McCarty, moved
to adopt Amendment 2 to CSSB 174(EDC), labeled 32-LS1298\W.2,
Marx, 4/12/22, which read:
Page 1, line 7:
Delete ", including wearing headwraps"
Page 2, line 5:
Delete ", including wearing headwraps"
3:23:12 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS objected for the purpose of discussion.
3:23:13 PM
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ explained that Amendment 2 would delete in
two sections of the bill the language "including wearing
headwraps". She stated that the amendment was done in
consultation with the bill sponsor.
3:23:24 PM
SENATOR WILSON stated he is supportive of Amendment 2 because
headwraps do not pertain to hair necessarily. He said
"including wearing headwraps" was added in a Senate committee
and he would like to keep the bill related to hair and not hair
accessories. In response to Co-Chair Fields, he clarified that
he does support adopting Amendment 2.
3:24:32 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS removed his objection to Amendment 2. There
being no further objection, Amendment 2 was adopted.
3:24:54 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS opened public testimony on CSSB 174(EDC).
3:25:04 PM
MORGAN LIM, Government Relations Manager, Planned Parenthood
Alliance Advocates (PPAA), testified in support of CSSB
174(EDC). He stated that PPAA is committed to creating a world
in which all people have autonomy over their bodies and health.
He said dress codes banning certain hairstyles perpetuate racist
stereotypes and lead to over-policing and over-discipling of
BIPOC people [Black, Indigenous, and people of color], which has
real world consequences on educational, professional, and health
outcomes. He explained that, for many, Afrocentric and
Indigenous are an expression of identity and hold historic,
cultural, and spiritual significance. Over time hair has become
a link between history and current identities, he said, and
represents a rejection of Eurocentric notions that the texture
of white or European hair is inherently professional and
beautiful while the texture and styling of nonwhite hair is
inherently unprofessional and undesirable. He related that
extensive research shows that schools discriminatorily enforce
dress codes against Black students, especially Black girls due
to race and gender base stereotypes. Dress codes that police
hairstyles lead educators to discipline Black students and
students of color more often and more harshly than they do white
students. This discipline causes students to lose class time
which can deny equal opportunities and impact graduation rates
and access to higher education. He urged the bill's passage
from committee.
3:27:07 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS closed public testimony after ascertaining no
one else wished to testify.
3:27:26 PM
CO-CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ moved to report CSSB 174(EDC), as amended,
out of committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying [zero] fiscal notes. There being no objection, HCS
CSSB 174(L&C) was reported out of the House Labor and Commerce
Standing Committee.