NC Republicans approve slate of bills targeting DEI in government and schools
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- Republicans advanced three bills to ban DEI programs in government and schools.
- Two education-focused bills head to Gov. Stein, who may veto the legislation.
- Another bill would require auditing of agencies, which could face civil penalties.
North Carolina Republicans approved three bills seeking to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs throughout state government and schools, sending the measures to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s desk.
The bills, which passed Wednesday and Thursday, would broadly ban DEI in state agencies and restrict classroom instruction, prompted heated debate in both chambers of the legislature, with Democrats — who remained united in opposition to the bills — accusing Republicans of drawing from “an authoritarian playbook.”
Republicans have said the bills are necessary to bring the state into compliance with the Trump administration’s executive orders against DEI and ensure hiring is based on merit.
If Stein vetoes the legislation, Republicans will face an uphill battle trying to override his rejection. They are one vote short of a veto-proof supermajority in the House, meaning they’d either have to convince one Democrat to vote with them or exploit an absence.
Stein’s office did not respond to a request for comment about his plans for the bills.
Bill targets DEI in state and local governments
House Bill 171, which went to Stein’s desk on Thursday, would ban local and state governments from using DEI concepts in hiring decisions or giving differential treatment or special benefits on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation and more.
It would also ban government agencies from using state funds to support DEI programs or applying for federal grants that require compliance with DEI policies. The Republican state auditor would regularly audit state agencies for compliance with the ban, and violations could result in a $10,000 civil penalty.
Republican Sen. Danny Britt, of Robeson County, said the bill is necessary to avoid “workplace discrimination,” but Democrats argued the bill would do just that.
“This bill is designed explicitly to squash dissent, politicize independent institutions and attack free speech,” Sen. Sophia Chitlik, a Durham Democrat, said.
Sen. Val Applewhite, a Cumberland County Democrat and U.S. Air Force veteran, proposed an amendment to ensure the state could still give preference to veterans in hiring.
Republicans blocked her amendment, with Britt saying the bill would not impact veterans’ preferences and accusing Applewhite of “theater.”
“Nothing about what I say or do about veterans is theatrics,” Applewhite responded. “I dedicated 20 years of my life and I have the scars to prove it.”
Lawmakers move to ban DEI in education
The other two bills, Senate Bill 227 and Senate Bill 558, would target DEI in K-12 education and higher education, respectively.
Both measures would require schools to dismantle any DEI offices and restrict the instruction or promotion of what they label “divisive concepts.”
A total of 12 are spelled out in the bills, including the notions that a person’s race or sex makes them “inherently superior” to others, makes them “inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive,” determines their “moral character,” or makes them responsible “for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race or sex.”
Rep. Marcia Morey, a Durham Democrat, said the bills are about “censoring what is taught in the classroom” based on vague concepts.
“We are banning something with no true definition,” she said.
While the restrictions on K-12 schools would be new, the bill dealing with higher education would largely codify existing practice.
The UNC System Board of Governors implemented an “institutional neutrality” policy for the state’s public universities and repealed diversity initiatives last year. DEI offices in all 17 UNC System schools have either closed or significantly restructured as a result.
The bills targeting DEI advanced during what is expected to be the last full week lawmakers spend in Raleigh before adjourning this year’s long session.
This story was originally published June 25, 2025 at 1:36 PM.
