Alabama Legislature Moves Forward With Bill Banning State Funding of DEI at Public Schools, Universities

Alabama’s Republican-led Legislature voted on March 19 to advance legislation that, if signed into law, would ban state agencies, local boards of education, and institutions of higher education from sponsoring so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs or offices. The measure, SB 129, was authored by Republican state Sen. Will Barfoot. An amended version of the bill was initially passed by the House of Representatives on March 7, with the Senate approving the changes in a 25–4 vote this week. Under the measure, “divisive concepts” about race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin would be banned from being taught or sponsored by a state agency, local board of education, or public institution of higher education, such as public universities and colleges....