Signed by Governor Tate Reeves

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report and pass a bill that prohibits DEI initiatives in K-12 and institutions of higher education in Mississippi.

Highlights:

• Prohibits and bans Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and written materials including diversity statements within K-12 schools through higher education institutions in Mississippi (Sec. 1).

• Repeals certain diversity training programs, prohibits teaching what is outlined as “divisive concepts” and requires educators to teach that there are only 2 genders male and female (Sec. 1).

• Defines “DEI” as anything to influence anyone in a public university on ideas such as race, sex, color, or ethnicity "apart from ensuring colorblind and sex-neutral admissions and hiring under state and federal anti-discrimination laws (Sec. 1).

• Defines “diversity statements” as a written statement or essay that requires an individual to express their views or commitment regarding issues related to race, sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin (Sec. 2).

• Defines “Diversity training” as any formal or informal education, seminars, workshops, or instructional programs that focus on increasing awareness or understanding of issues related to race, sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation,  religion, or national origin (Sec. 2).

• Defines “Divisive concepts” as concepts that state (Sec. 2):

• One race, sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin is inherently superior to another race or sex;

• An individual, by his or her race,  sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously;

• An individual should be discriminated against or treated adversely solely because of their race, sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin;

• Members of one race, sex, color, ethnicity, certain gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or national origin cannot and should not attempt to treat others without respect to race, color, ethnicity or sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin;

• An individual's moral character is necessarily determined by his or her race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin;

• An individual, by his or her race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of any class listed herein;

• An individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of his or her race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or national origin; or

• Meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist or were created by a particular class to oppress another class.

• Prohibits any public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or post-secondary educational institution from (Sec. 3):

• Requiring, requesting, or considering diversity statements or similar materials from job applicants as part of the hiring process, contract renewal process, evaluation, or promotion process;

• Requiring, requesting, or considering diversity statements or similar materials from applicants for admission to academic programs;

• Requiring, requesting, or compelling students or employees to participate in diversity training;

• Requiring, requesting, or compelling students or employees to endorse, assent to, or publicly express a divisive concept;

• Penalizing or discriminating against a student, employee, or contractor based on his or her refusal to support, believe, endorse, embrace, confess, act upon, or otherwise assent to a divisive concept; or

• Maintaining any programs, including academic programs or courses, or offices that promote or endorse divisive concepts or concepts promoting transgender ideology, gender-neutral pronouns, heteronormativity, gender theory, sexual privilege, or any related formulation of these concepts.

• Specifies that none of these provisions shall be construed to (Sec. 4):

• Prohibit the required collection or reporting of demographic data by a public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or public postsecondary educational institutions;

• Prohibit a public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or public postsecondary educational institution from requiring a student or employee to comply with federal or state laws, or from taking action against a student or employee for violations of federal or state law;

• Limit or restrict freedom of speech or academic freedom that undermines the duty of a public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or public postsecondary educational institution to protect academic freedom, intellectual diversity, and true expression provided that none of these protected tenets conflict with this act;

• Prohibit a public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or public postsecondary educational institution from complying with any applicable academic accreditation standards or requirements; or

• Prohibit or restrict programs or campus activities required for compliance with federal laws or regulations, or access programs for military veterans, Pell Grant recipients, first-generation college students, nontraditional students, students from low-income families, or students with unique abilities, students with disabilities, or students from the foster care system.

• Requires the State Department of Education, Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and the Mississippi Community School Board to provide a report to the Governor regarding its compliance with these provisions by July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that if any public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or postsecondary educational institution receives more than 2 complaints in violation of this bill, state grants and funding shall be withheld until the school or institution complies (Sec. 7).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall become effective beginning July 1, 2025 (Sec. 9).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report and pass a bill that prohibits DEI initiatives in K-12 and institutions of higher education in Mississippi.

Highlights:

• Prohibits and bans Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and written materials including diversity statements within K-12 schools through higher education institutions in Mississippi (Sec. 1).

• Repeals certain diversity training programs, prohibits teaching what is outlined as “divisive concepts” and requires educators to teach that there are only 2 genders male and female (Sec. 1).

• Defines “DEI” as anything to influence anyone in a public university on ideas such as race, sex, color, or ethnicity "apart from ensuring colorblind and sex-neutral admissions and hiring under state and federal anti-discrimination laws (Sec. 1).

• Defines “diversity statements” as a written statement or essay that requires an individual to express their views or commitment regarding issues related to race, sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin (Sec. 2).

• Defines “Diversity training” as any formal or informal education, seminars, workshops, or instructional programs that focus on increasing awareness or understanding of issues related to race, sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation,  religion, or national origin (Sec. 2).

• Defines “Divisive concepts” as concepts that state (Sec. 2):

• One race, sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin is inherently superior to another race or sex;

• An individual, by his or her race,  sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously;

• An individual should be discriminated against or treated adversely solely because of their race, sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin;

• Members of one race, sex, color, ethnicity, certain gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or national origin cannot and should not attempt to treat others without respect to race, color, ethnicity or sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin;

• An individual's moral character is necessarily determined by his or her race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin;

• An individual, by his or her race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of any class listed herein;

• An individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of his or her race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or national origin; or

• Meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist or were created by a particular class to oppress another class.

• Prohibits any public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or post-secondary educational institution from (Sec. 3):

• Requiring, requesting, or considering diversity statements or similar materials from job applicants as part of the hiring process, contract renewal process, evaluation, or promotion process;

• Requiring, requesting, or considering diversity statements or similar materials from applicants for admission to academic programs;

• Requiring, requesting, or compelling students or employees to participate in diversity training;

• Requiring, requesting, or compelling students or employees to endorse, assent to, or publicly express a divisive concept;

• Penalizing or discriminating against a student, employee, or contractor based on his or her refusal to support, believe, endorse, embrace, confess, act upon, or otherwise assent to a divisive concept; or

• Maintaining any programs, including academic programs or courses, or offices that promote or endorse divisive concepts or concepts promoting transgender ideology, gender-neutral pronouns, heteronormativity, gender theory, sexual privilege, or any related formulation of these concepts.

• Specifies that none of these provisions shall be construed to (Sec. 4):

• Prohibit the required collection or reporting of demographic data by a public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or public postsecondary educational institutions;

• Prohibit a public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or public postsecondary educational institution from requiring a student or employee to comply with federal or state laws, or from taking action against a student or employee for violations of federal or state law;

• Limit or restrict freedom of speech or academic freedom that undermines the duty of a public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or public postsecondary educational institution to protect academic freedom, intellectual diversity, and true expression provided that none of these protected tenets conflict with this act;

• Prohibit a public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or public postsecondary educational institution from complying with any applicable academic accreditation standards or requirements; or

• Prohibit or restrict programs or campus activities required for compliance with federal laws or regulations, or access programs for military veterans, Pell Grant recipients, first-generation college students, nontraditional students, students from low-income families, or students with unique abilities, students with disabilities, or students from the foster care system.

• Requires the State Department of Education, Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and the Mississippi Community School Board to provide a report to the Governor regarding its compliance with these provisions by July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that if any public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or postsecondary educational institution receives more than 2 complaints in violation of this bill, state grants and funding shall be withheld until the school or institution complies (Sec. 7).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall become effective beginning July 1, 2025 (Sec. 9).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits DEI initiatives in K-12 and institutions of higher education in Mississippi.

Highlights:

• Prohibits and bans Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and written materials including diversity statements within K-12 schools through higher education institutions in Mississippi (Sec. 1).

• Repeals certain diversity training programs, prohibits teaching what is outlined as “divisive concepts” and requires educators to teach that there are only 2 genders male and female (Sec. 1).

• Defines “DEI” as anything to influence anyone in a public university on ideas such as race, sex, color, or ethnicity "apart from ensuring colorblind and sex-neutral admissions and hiring under state and federal anti-discrimination laws (Sec. 1).

• Defines “diversity statements” as a written statement or essay that requires an individual to express their views or commitment regarding issues related to race, sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin (Sec. 2).

• Defines “Diversity training” as any formal or informal education, seminars, workshops, or instructional programs that focus on increasing awareness or understanding of issues related to race, sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation,  religion, or national origin (Sec. 2).

• Defines “Divisive concepts” as concepts that state (Sec. 2):

• One race, sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin is inherently superior to another race or sex;

• An individual, by his or her race,  sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously;

• An individual should be discriminated against or treated adversely solely because of their race, sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin;

• Members of one race, sex, color, ethnicity, certain gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or national origin cannot and should not attempt to treat others without respect to race, color, ethnicity or sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin;

• An individual's moral character is necessarily determined by his or her race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin;

• An individual, by his or her race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of any class listed herein;

• An individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of his or her race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or national origin; or

• Meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist or were created by a particular class to oppress another class.

• Prohibits any public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or post-secondary educational institution from (Sec. 3):

• Requiring, requesting, or considering diversity statements or similar materials from job applicants as part of the hiring process, contract renewal process, evaluation, or promotion process;

• Requiring, requesting, or considering diversity statements or similar materials from applicants for admission to academic programs;

• Requiring, requesting, or compelling students or employees to participate in diversity training;

• Requiring, requesting, or compelling students or employees to endorse, assent to, or publicly express a divisive concept;

• Penalizing or discriminating against a student, employee, or contractor based on his or her refusal to support, believe, endorse, embrace, confess, act upon, or otherwise assent to a divisive concept; or

• Maintaining any programs, including academic programs or courses, or offices that promote or endorse divisive concepts or concepts promoting transgender ideology, gender-neutral pronouns, heteronormativity, gender theory, sexual privilege, or any related formulation of these concepts.

• Specifies that none of these provisions shall be construed to (Sec. 4):

• Prohibit the required collection or reporting of demographic data by a public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or public postsecondary educational institutions;

• Prohibit a public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or public postsecondary educational institution from requiring a student or employee to comply with federal or state laws, or from taking action against a student or employee for violations of federal or state law;

• Limit or restrict freedom of speech or academic freedom that undermines the duty of a public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or public postsecondary educational institution to protect academic freedom, intellectual diversity, and true expression provided that none of these protected tenets conflict with this act;

• Prohibit a public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or public postsecondary educational institution from complying with any applicable academic accreditation standards or requirements; or

• Prohibit or restrict programs or campus activities required for compliance with federal laws or regulations, or access programs for military veterans, Pell Grant recipients, first-generation college students, nontraditional students, students from low-income families, or students with unique abilities, students with disabilities, or students from the foster care system.

• Requires the State Department of Education, Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and the Mississippi Community School Board to provide a report to the Governor regarding its compliance with these provisions by July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that if any public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or postsecondary educational institution receives more than 2 complaints in violation of this bill, state grants and funding shall be withheld until the school or institution complies (Sec. 7).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall become effective beginning July 1, 2025 (Sec. 9).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits DEI initiatives in K-12 and institutions of higher education in Mississippi.

Highlights:

• Prohibits and bans Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and written materials including diversity statements within K-12 schools through higher education institutions in Mississippi (Sec. 1).

• Repeals certain diversity training programs, prohibits teaching what is outlined as “divisive concepts” and requires educators to teach that there are only 2 genders male and female (Sec. 1).

• Defines “DEI” as anything to influence anyone in a public university on ideas such as race, sex, color, or ethnicity "apart from ensuring colorblind and sex-neutral admissions and hiring under state and federal anti-discrimination laws (Sec. 1).

• Defines “diversity statements” as a written statement or essay that requires an individual to express their views or commitment regarding issues related to race, sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin (Sec. 2).

• Defines “Diversity training” as any formal or informal education, seminars, workshops, or instructional programs that focus on increasing awareness or understanding of issues related to race, sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation,  religion, or national origin (Sec. 2).

• Defines “Divisive concepts” as concepts that state (Sec. 2):

• One race, sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin is inherently superior to another race or sex;

• An individual, by his or her race,  sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously;

• An individual should be discriminated against or treated adversely solely because of their race, sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin;

• Members of one race, sex, color, ethnicity, certain gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or national origin cannot and should not attempt to treat others without respect to race, color, ethnicity or sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin;

• An individual's moral character is necessarily determined by his or her race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin;

• An individual, by his or her race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of any class listed herein;

• An individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of his or her race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or national origin; or

• Meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist or were created by a particular class to oppress another class.

• Prohibits any public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or post-secondary educational institution from (Sec. 3):

• Requiring, requesting, or considering diversity statements or similar materials from job applicants as part of the hiring process, contract renewal process, evaluation, or promotion process;

• Requiring, requesting, or considering diversity statements or similar materials from applicants for admission to academic programs;

• Requiring, requesting, or compelling students or employees to participate in diversity training;

• Requiring, requesting, or compelling students or employees to endorse, assent to, or publicly express a divisive concept;

• Penalizing or discriminating against a student, employee, or contractor based on his or her refusal to support, believe, endorse, embrace, confess, act upon, or otherwise assent to a divisive concept; or

• Maintaining any programs, including academic programs or courses, or offices that promote or endorse divisive concepts or concepts promoting transgender ideology, gender-neutral pronouns, heteronormativity, gender theory, sexual privilege, or any related formulation of these concepts.

• Specifies that none of these provisions shall be construed to (Sec. 4):

• Prohibit the required collection or reporting of demographic data by a public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or public postsecondary educational institutions;

• Prohibit a public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or public postsecondary educational institution from requiring a student or employee to comply with federal or state laws, or from taking action against a student or employee for violations of federal or state law;

• Limit or restrict freedom of speech or academic freedom that undermines the duty of a public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or public postsecondary educational institution to protect academic freedom, intellectual diversity, and true expression provided that none of these protected tenets conflict with this act;

• Prohibit a public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or public postsecondary educational institution from complying with any applicable academic accreditation standards or requirements; or

• Prohibit or restrict programs or campus activities required for compliance with federal laws or regulations, or access programs for military veterans, Pell Grant recipients, first-generation college students, nontraditional students, students from low-income families, or students with unique abilities, students with disabilities, or students from the foster care system.

• Requires the State Department of Education, Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and the Mississippi Community School Board to provide a report to the Governor regarding its compliance with these provisions by July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that if any public school, state-accredited nonpublic school, or postsecondary educational institution receives more than 2 complaints in violation of this bill, state grants and funding shall be withheld until the school or institution complies (Sec. 7).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall become effective beginning July 1, 2025 (Sec. 9).

Full Bill Text