OH HB535

Enacts the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act to prohibit discrimination against individuals based on hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists in public and private primary and secondary schools.

Expands the definition of "race" in Ohio civil rights law (section 4112.01) to include traits associated with an individual's race, including hair texture and protective hair styles.

Applies anti-discrimination protections to all schools including public school districts, community schools, STEM schools, college-preparatory boarding schools, and chartered nonpublic schools.

Allows individuals alleging violations to bring civil actions in any court of competent jurisdiction for school-based hair discrimination.

Requires STEM schools and college-preparatory boarding schools to comply with the new anti-discrimination provisions as if they were school districts.