HB1609: Diversity, Equity ad Inclusion; prohibit public IHLs from expending appropriated funds to promote.

Legislative Summary

An Act To Define Terms; To Prohibit Public Land-grant Institutions Of Higher Learning From Expending Appropriated Funds To Establish, Sustain, Support, Or Staff A Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Office; To Prohibit Public Or Land-grant Institutions Of Higher Learning From Expending Funds To Contract, Employ, Engage, Or Hire An Individual To Serve As A Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Officer; To Establish Parameters For The Prohibitions On Offices And Officers Of Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion At Public Institutions Of Higher Learning; To Allow The Ihl Board To Reallocate Funds That Otherwise Would Have Been Expended On Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Offices Or Officers In Fiscal Year 2025 To Cover Certain Merit Scholarships And Tuition Costs; To Prohibit Public Or Land-grant Institutions Of Higher Learning From Requiring Diversity Training; To Prohibit Public Institutions Of Higher Learning From Requiring Or Soliciting Diversity Statements For Certain Purposes; To Prohibit Public Or Land-grant Institutions Of Higher Learning From Granting Preferential Consideration To Certain Individuals Based On Race, Sex, Color, Ethnicity, Gender, Or Sexual Orientation; To Require Each Public Institution Of Higher Learning To Produce A Report Confirming Compliance With This Act; To Establish A Process For Reporting Violations Of This Act; To Allow The Attorney General To File Suit To Compel Compliance; To Establish A Civil Cause Of Action For Violations Of This Act; To Establish Proper Jurisdiction; And For Related Purposes.