In a recent ruling, a judge in Anahuac, Texas, concluded that Barbers Hill school district did not violate a new state law by punishing 18-year-old student Darryl George for refusing to change his hairstyle. George, a Black student, has been out of his regular high school classes since August 31 due to the district's dress code policy, which deems his tied and twisted locs hairstyle as too long. The judge determined that the district's policy is not discriminatory under the recently implemented CROWN Act, which prohibits race-based hair discrimination.

Despite the ruling, George and his family have taken legal action by filing a federal civil rights lawsuit against Governor Greg Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and the school district for allegedly failing to enforce the CROWN Act. George's attorney, Allie Booker, plans to seek an injunction in the federal lawsuit to halt George's ongoing punishment. Democratic state Rep. Ron Reynolds, a co-author of the CROWN Act, expressed disappointment with the ruling and vowed to propose a revised version of the legislation that specifically addresses protections for hair length.

The school district defended its position by asserting that the dress code policy does not violate the CROWN Act since the law does not address hair length. Barbers Hill Superintendent Greg Poole reiterated that the district's dress code does not infringe on the CROWN Act and refuted claims of racism, emphasizing the importance of upholding constitutionally protected rights. This case highlights the ongoing debate surrounding hair discrimination in schools and the efforts to protect students' rights to self-expression and equal treatment.