Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to override a veto of a bill that prohibits the promotion of "divisive concepts," as defined, and the implementation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives at state universities in North Carolina.

Highlights:

• Defines “discriminatory practice” as any of the following based on an individual’s protected classification (Sec. 2):

• Treating an individual differently solely to advantage or disadvantage them as compared to other individuals or groups;

• Excluding an individual from employment, except as allowed under federal law; or

• Excluding an individual from participation in an educational program or activity, except as allowed under federal law.

• Defines “divisive concept” as any of the following concepts (Sec. 2):

• One race or sex is inherently superior to another;

• An individual, solely by virtue of their race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive;

• An individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of their race or sex;

• An individual’s moral character is necessarily determined by their race or sex;

• An individual, solely by virtue of their race or sex, bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race or sex;

• Any individual, solely by virtue of their race or sex, should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other psychological distress;

• A meritocracy is inherently racist or sexist;

• The U.S. was created by members of a particular race or sex for the purpose of oppressing members of another race or sex;

• Particular character traits, values, moral or ethical codes, privileges, or beliefs should be ascribed to an individual based on their race or sex;

• The rule of law does not exist but instead is a series of power relationships and struggles among racial or other groups;

• All Americans are not created equal and are not endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; or

• Governments should deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the law.

• Requires the State Board to adopt a policy on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at community colleges that prohibits community colleges from establishing, maintaining, or implementing a process for reporting or investigating offensive or unwanted speech protected by the first amendment (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits public institutions of higher education from doing any of the following:

• Engaging in or advocate for discriminatory practices;

• Compelling students, professors, administrators, or other employees to affirm or profess belief in divisive concepts;

• Endorsing divisive concepts;

• Maintaining an office, division, or other unit promoting discriminatory practices or divisive concepts or referred to as or named diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI);

• Employing or assigning an employee whose duties for a public institution of higher education include promoting discriminatory practices or divisive concepts; or

• Requiring completion of a course related to divisive concepts for purposes of awarding a degree or completion of a program (Sec. 2).

• Requires each public institution of higher education to certify annually to the applicable governing board that the public institution fully complies with the requirements of this section (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that this act takes effect upon passage (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to override a veto of a bill that prohibits the promotion of "divisive concepts," as defined, and the implementation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives at state universities in North Carolina.

Highlights:

• Defines “discriminatory practice” as any of the following based on an individual’s protected classification (Sec. 2):

• Treating an individual differently solely to advantage or disadvantage them as compared to other individuals or groups;

• Excluding an individual from employment, except as allowed under federal law; or

• Excluding an individual from participation in an educational program or activity, except as allowed under federal law.

• Defines “divisive concept” as any of the following concepts (Sec. 2):

• One race or sex is inherently superior to another;

• An individual, solely by virtue of their race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive;

• An individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of their race or sex;

• An individual’s moral character is necessarily determined by their race or sex;

• An individual, solely by virtue of their race or sex, bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race or sex;

• Any individual, solely by virtue of their race or sex, should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other psychological distress;

• A meritocracy is inherently racist or sexist;

• The U.S. was created by members of a particular race or sex for the purpose of oppressing members of another race or sex;

• Particular character traits, values, moral or ethical codes, privileges, or beliefs should be ascribed to an individual based on their race or sex;

• The rule of law does not exist but instead is a series of power relationships and struggles among racial or other groups;

• All Americans are not created equal and are not endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; or

• Governments should deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the law.

• Requires the State Board to adopt a policy on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at community colleges that prohibits community colleges from establishing, maintaining, or implementing a process for reporting or investigating offensive or unwanted speech protected by the first amendment (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits public institutions of higher education from doing any of the following:

• Engaging in or advocate for discriminatory practices;

• Compelling students, professors, administrators, or other employees to affirm or profess belief in divisive concepts;

• Endorsing divisive concepts;

• Maintaining an office, division, or other unit promoting discriminatory practices or divisive concepts or referred to as or named diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI);

• Employing or assigning an employee whose duties for a public institution of higher education include promoting discriminatory practices or divisive concepts; or

• Requiring completion of a course related to divisive concepts for purposes of awarding a degree or completion of a program (Sec. 2).

• Requires each public institution of higher education to certify annually to the applicable governing board that the public institution fully complies with the requirements of this section (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that this act takes effect upon passage (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text

Vetoed by Governor Josh Stein