Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion offices or initiatives in state and local governments or public colleges, dismantling the DEI Departments Act in Tennessee.

Highlights:

• Prohibits local governments and public colleges from hiring based on diversity, equity, or inclusion initiatives, dismantling the DEI in Employment Act in Tennessee (Sec. 1-6).

• Prohibits local governments and public institutions of higher education from basing hiring decisions on any metrics that consider an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability, or hiring a particular candidate to achieve any goals to increase diversity, equity, or inclusion in the workplace (Sec. 1-6).

• Prohibits state and local governments, public institutions of higher education, and governor-appointed boards from using “a discriminatory preference to increase diversity, equity, or inclusion or maintain an office, division, or department for such purposes” (Sec. 1-6).

• Requires that decisions that grant or withhold benefits must be based on “individual merit, qualifications, veteran status or lawful eligibility criteria” (Sec. 1-6).

• Repeals the Tennessee Code provisions that encourage support of women- and minority-owned businesses and goals for including minorities on appointed boards.

• Exempts demographic-based outreach for medically substantiated reasons in public health, medical research, or disease prevention programs, in addition to “lawful and neutral outreach programs that ensure equal access to state services or contracting” as long as there is no demographic-based “preferential treatment.” (Sec. 1-6).

• Specifies that entities can also submit written notice to the state comptroller requesting an exemption if complying with the act would cause the loss of federal funding (Sec. 1-6).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 7).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion offices or initiatives in state and local governments or public colleges, dismantling the DEI Departments Act in Tennessee.

Highlights:

• Prohibits local governments and public colleges from hiring based on diversity, equity, or inclusion initiatives, dismantling the DEI in Employment Act in Tennessee (Sec. 1-6).

• Prohibits local governments and public institutions of higher education from basing hiring decisions on any metrics that consider an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability, or hiring a particular candidate to achieve any goals to increase diversity, equity, or inclusion in the workplace (Sec. 1-6).

• Prohibits state and local governments, public institutions of higher education, and governor-appointed boards from using “a discriminatory preference to increase diversity, equity, or inclusion or maintain an office, division, or department for such purposes” (Sec. 1-6).

• Requires that decisions that grant or withhold benefits must be based on “individual merit, qualifications, veteran status or lawful eligibility criteria” (Sec. 1-6).

• Repeals the Tennessee Code provisions that encourage support of women- and minority-owned businesses and goals for including minorities on appointed boards.

• Exempts demographic-based outreach for medically substantiated reasons in public health, medical research, or disease prevention programs, in addition to “lawful and neutral outreach programs that ensure equal access to state services or contracting” as long as there is no demographic-based “preferential treatment.” (Sec. 1-6).

• Specifies that entities can also submit written notice to the state comptroller requesting an exemption if complying with the act would cause the loss of federal funding (Sec. 1-6).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor (Sec. 7).

Full Bill Text