Senate 109

WEST virginia legislature

2026 regular session

Introduced

Senate Bill 109

By Senator Garcia

[Introduced January 14, 2026; referred to
the Committee on Government Organization; and then to the Committee on the Judiciary]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §16B-17-21, relating to clarifying that racial discrimination includes discrimination based on certain hair textures and hairstyles historically associated with a particular race; and defining a term.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 17. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

§16B-17-21. Racial discrimination based on certain hair textures and hairstyles; definitions.

(a) For the purposes of this article, discrimination based on race includes, but is not limited to, discrimination based on hair textures and protective hairstyles historically associated with a particular race.

(b) The term "protective hairstyles" includes, but is not limited to, hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to clarify that racial discrimination includes discrimination based on certain hair textures and hairstyles.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.