Bill banning DEI at Kentucky universities moves toward final passage
FRANKFORT, Ky. — A measure banning an diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at public colleges and universities passed the Senate on Wednesday, taking a significant step toward final passage.
House Bill 4, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Decker, R-Waddy, passed the Senate chamber on a 32-6 vote. It now heads back to the House for concurrence.
If the House concurs with a title amendment change in the Senate, the bill will head to Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear's desk.
Beshear can then either sign the bill into law, veto it or let it become law without his signature. He has previously defended DEI measures, but a veto would likely be only for show with a Republican-controlled legislature that could override it.
HB 4 defines DEI initiatives as policies, practices or procedures "designed or implemented to promote or provide differential treatment or benefits to individuals on the basis of religion, race, sex, color, or national origin." The bill has some exceptions, including for Americans with Disabilities Act and Title IX requirements.
In addition to banning colleges and universities from spending money on DEI initiatives, the measure also requires schools to eliminate all DEI offices and positions and prohibits them from requiring students or staff to attend DEI training sessions.
Schools would be required to comply with all of the bill's components by the end of June, ahead of the next fall semester.
Crunch time: Where key bills stand as 2025 legislative session nears end
Prevent personal views on social or political issues from being taken into consideration in hiring, contract renewal, tenure, promotion, admission or graduation.
Ban scholarship criteria or eligibility restrictions based on an applicant's religion, race, sex, color or national origin.
Prevent student housing assignments based on those conditions, outside of separate living quarters for different genders.
Prevent investigations of bias and disciplinary hearings over bias, unless certain circumstances approved by university counsel are met.
Require annual certifications from schools ensuring no money has been spent on DEI initiatives and require policies on "viewpoint neutrality" on the basis of social or political viewpoints.
Require annual surveys to "assess intellectual freedom and viewpoint diversity" to ensure students and school employees are exposed to competing ideas and feel comfortable expressing personal views.
Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at hpinski@courier-journal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky legislature: Anti-DEI bill moves toward final passage
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