A new law in Illinois will prohibit schools from banning any type of hairstyle, in what will be known as "the Jett Hawkins Law."

Ethnic hairstyles that include, dreadlocks, braids, and twists will all be protected against "hairstyle discrimination."

Gov. J.B. Pritzer signed the law on Friday after it was approved by the legislature in the spring. State Sen. Mike Simmons, a Black lawmaker who wears his hair in dreadlocks, sponsored the legislation.

“I understand what this feels like personally, to be made to be humiliated in front of your classmates. To have authority figures belittle you and humiliate you in front of other people because of something that is God-given is entirely unacceptable,” Simmons told the Chicago Sun-Times.

“As somebody who wears his hair natural, I just think it would be irresponsible for me not to speak up and act on this and make a change to the policies that allow this to happen."

The Jett Hawkins Law is based on the story of a 4-year-old Black student Gus “Jett” Hawkins, who was told he had to take out his braids at his Chicago preschool because it was against the school dress code.

“Black youth in school settings shouldn’t have to be restricted by outdated and often racist dress codes that only serve to humiliate students of color who want to wear their hair in a style that honors their heritage, ancestry, and culture,” Simmons said.

Hawkins' mother, Ida Nelson, started a campaign that shared awareness of the incident. The campaign focused on how the stigmatization of a child’s hair can negatively affect their development in education.

“For us, this is bigger than just hair. Our hair is an extension of who we are as a race and is deeply connected to our cultural identity,” Nelson said.

“This is one huge step towards improving the mental health outcomes for our children, as it ensures that they will be in healthier learning environments.”