LOCALIZE IT: Republican states are ramping up efforts to limit DEI. See measures, executive orders
By DAVID A. LIEB
Associated Press
EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS
Efforts to end diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are proliferating in Republican-led states as President Donald Trump also takes aim at DEI offices and programs.
Governors and lawmakers this year already have taken about twice as many actions targeting DEI initiatives as last year, according to an Associated Press analysis aided by the bill-tracking software Plural. And last year’s actions were about double those of 2023, when the movement began gaining ground in many state capitols.
The recent state actions come as Trump, who took office in January, has issued a variety of executive orders seeking to halt DEI initiatives in the federal government, universities and schools. Many of his directives face legal challenges.
There is no agreed-upon definition about what is covered by the phrase “diversity, equity and inclusion.” But most state laws and gubernatorial orders focus on initiatives related to race, ethnicity, gender or sex.
Efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion have existed for years in higher education institutions, businesses and government bureaucracies. Supporters say diverse workforces and student bodies where everyone feels valued provide benefits both to those entities and society at large. Some conservatives contend DEI policies threaten merit-based decision-making.
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READ AP’S LATEST COVERAGE
As Trump targets DEI, Republican-led states intensify efforts to stamp it out
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FIND YOUR STATE: DEI LEGISLATION
Republican lawmakers in several dozen states have sponsored legislation this year that would curtail DEI initiatives in education, state agencies and local governments. The AP has compiled links to those measures through the bill-tracking software Plural.
Here’s a look at some of this year’s measures that already have received final legislative approval.
ARKANSAS
HB 1512 and SB 246: Prohibits DEI initiatives in higher education institutions.
SB 520: Prohibits DEI initiatives in local governments.
IDAHO
SB 1196: Prohibits money budgeted for the Idaho Commission on Libraries from being used for DEI purposes.
SB 1198: Prohibits DEI initiatives in higher education institutions and in required academic courses.
KENTUCKY
HB 4: Prohibits DEI initiatives in higher education institutions and for licensing authorities.
MISSISSIPPI
HB 1193: Prohibits DEI initiatives in higher education institutions and public K-12 schools.
MISSOURI:
HB 2: Prohibits a state grant program for teacher training programs from funding DEI initiatives.
HB 3: Prohibits the use of state funds for DEI initiatives in higher education institutions.
MONTANA
HB 638: Prohibits mandatory diversity statements in state and local governments.
OHIO
SB 1: Prohibits DEI initiatives in higher education.
OKLAHOMA
SB 796: Prohibits DEI initiatives in higher education institutions.
TENNESSEE
HB 622: Prohibits higher education institutions and local governments from using DEI goals in hiring decisions.
HB 1084: Prohibits DEI offices in higher education institutions and state and local governments.
WEST VIRGINIA
SB 474: Prohibits DEI initiatives in higher education institutions and state and local governments.
WYOMING
HB 147: Prohibits DEI initiatives in higher education institutions, public schools and state and local governments.
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FIND YOUR STATE: EXECUTIVE ORDERS
Several Republican governors have issued executive orders this year limiting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives within state agencies. Here’s a look at those orders.
INDIANA
Executive Order 25-14: Prohibits DEI positions and initiatives in executive branch agencies.
MISSOURI
Executive Order 25-18: Prohibits DEI positions and initiatives in executive branch agencies.
TEXAS
Executive Order GA 55: Requires state agencies to “comply with the color-blind guarantee” of the U.S. and state constitutions.
WEST VIRGINIA
Executive Order 3-25: Prohibits DEI positions and initiatives in executive branch agencies and state-funded institutions.
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MODEL PROPOSALS
Several conservative or libertarian think tanks have produced model bills to limit DEI initiatives. These proposals vary in scope. Here’s a look at some of them:
— The Goldwater Institute, based in Arizona, released model legislation in January 2022 targeting critical race theory. The proposal also included provisions restricting the use of diversity, equity and inclusion statements by public education institutions in employment and admission processes.
— The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, based in North Carolina, teamed up with the Goldwater Institute in February 2022 to produce a similar model bill. It focuses only on the use of DEI criteria in employment and admissions decisions at public education institutions.
— The Manhattan Institute, based in New York, teamed up with the Goldwater Institute to release a four-prong legislative package in January 2023 to prohibit all spending on DEI offices at higher education institutions, bar mandatory DEI training, forbid officials from requiring or requesting DEI statements from staff and students and ban preferential consideration of race, ethnicity and sex in employment and student admissions.
— The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, based in Pennsylvania, released a model act in February 2023 to prohibit public higher education institutions from basing student admissions or faculty employment on diversity, equity and inclusion statements.
— The Goldwater Institute teamed up with Speech First to release a model act in July 2023 to prohibit higher education institutions from requiring students to enroll in DEI-related courses to meet their academic requirements, unless pursuing a degree in racial, ethnic or gender studies. It also would require freshmen orientation to include a section on free speech and require a course focused on American constitutional democracy.
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SUGGESTED REPORTING THREADS
— Have colleges and universities in your area ended or changed their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives? If so, why? Was it prompted by a state law, Trump’s executive orders or done voluntarily? Speak with administrators and faculty to learn more details.
— What do students or recent graduates think about the diversity, equity and inclusion changes being made on college campuses? Do they believe DEI initiatives enhanced their college experience, made the campus more welcoming or broadened their perspective on issues? Or do they have concerns about particular DEI initiatives or requirements? Have the changes impacted school groups, the campus library or other facilities and activities?
— If you are in a state where legislation has been proposed to limit DEI initiatives, find out more about those bills. Whereas some bills would ban DEI initiatives entirely, others would restrict only certain things, such as training programs or soliciting DEI statements from people seeking promotions. What are the arguments for and against these bills?
— Would your state’s legislative proposals restricting DEI extend to the content of certain college courses? Are university policies currently encouraging diverse authors in reading assignments? Does the accreditation of a department such as a medical school depend partly on it incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion?
— Is your state seeking to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion efforts? While Republican proposals to limit DEI have proliferated this year, some Democratic-led states have been moving in the opposite direction. Are there efforts underway to promote DEI objectives?
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READ ADDITIONAL AP COVERAGE
Americans are divided over DEI programs on college campuses, an AP-NORC poll finds
A crackdown on diversity programs is reshaping college graduation ceremonies
Judges block Trump push to cut funding to public schools over diversity programs
DEI rollbacks hit campus support systems for students of color
Federal judge blocks Labor Department from enforcing key part of Trump’s anti-DEI executive orders
Which US companies are pulling back on diversity initiatives?
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Localize It is a resource produced regularly by The Associated Press for its customers’ use. Questions can be directed to Katie Oyan at koyan@ap.org.
