A Georgia Bill to Ban DEI in Schools and Colleges Nears Passage, Even as Potential Effects Stay Hazy

April 7, 2025

Georgia lawmakers are poised to pass House Bill 127 on the final day of their 2025 legislative session, which would ban a broad range of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the state's public schools, colleges, and universities. The Republican-controlled Senate approved the measure early Thursday on a party-line 33-21 vote, requiring only House approval for final passage. The bill would prohibit any policy or procedure "designed or implemented with reference to race, color, sex, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity or sexual orientation" and would ban colleges and universities from promoting concepts including social justice, racial privilege, and intersectionality.

Who is affected

Public schools, colleges, and universities in Georgia, including three historically Black public universities: Albany State University, Fort Valley State University, and Savannah State University
Black students and other minority groups at Georgia institutions, including students like Chase Pettiford from Georgia Tech's NAACP chapter, who stated diversity programs help her feel welcomed at a school where only 8% of students are Black
Faculty and educational institutions that currently implement DEI initiatives or teach related concepts

What action is being taken

Georgia's Senate passed House Bill 127 on a party-line vote, with final House approval potentially coming on the last day of the 2025 legislative session
The bill would withhold state and state-administered federal funding from any school district or college that disobeys, though it doesn't outline a process for determining noncompliance
The legislation follows similar actions in at least 16 other states that have passed laws, rules, or budget language barring or restricting DEI practices, including the University System of Georgia's 2023 elimination of DEI statements in hiring

Why it matters

Proponents like Sen. Max Burns argue that DEI has become "fundamentally discriminatory" and the bill would guarantee equality of opportunity without taxpayers paying for discrimination
Opponents contend the bill would reverse Civil Rights-era gains for Black Georgians and hamper efforts to help students overcome historic discrimination
The bill's broad language creates significant uncertainty about its impact on student groups with racial or ethnic affiliations, cultural observances like Black History Month, and academic freedom

What’s next

The Georgia House must vote on the bill on the final day of the 2025 legislative session to give it final passage
If passed, educational institutions will need to determine how to comply with the law's broad prohibitions, potentially affecting a wide range of programs, events, student organizations, and academic content

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint