DEI bans
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As 2025 unfolds, Republican governors and state legislators are accelerating efforts to ban diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Building on President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) 14151: Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing, directing the termination of all federal mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities relating to “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility”, multiple states have introduced legislation and executive actions to ban DEI at state agencies, universities, and public institutions.

Indiana Governor Signs EO Banning DEI in State Government

On January 14, 2025, Indiana Governor Mike Braun (R) signed an executive order aligning state policy with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. Harvard. The order prohibits the use of state funds for DEI programs that grant preferential treatment based on race, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Specifically, state agencies cannot:

  • Fund DEI programs prioritizing one group over another based on race or ethnicity.
  • Require participation in DEI training that promotes preferential treatment.
  • Mandate job applicants to submit DEI-related statements or give hiring preference based on them.
  • Compel individuals to disclose their pronouns.

State agencies must review existing DEI programs for compliance, with a report due to the governor by July 1, 2025. The order also closed the Chief Equity, Inclusion, and Opportunity Office within the governor’s office.

Senate Bill 235: Further Restrictions on DEI in Indiana

Following the governor’s order, Indiana legislators introduced Senate Bill 235, which would further restrict DEI initiatives across public institutions. The bill would ban state agencies, universities, and health licensing boards from funding DEI offices, hiring DEI officers, or requiring DEI-related statements or training. It would grant the Indiana attorney general enforcement authority, allowing civil penalties of up to $250,000 for violations. The legislation would also prohibit public universities from conducting DEI audits or hiring DEI consultants.

If enacted, SB 235 would significantly curtail DEI initiatives in Indiana’s public sector, higher education, and professional licensing, mandating a race- and gender-neutral approach in hiring and admissions.

Missouri House Bill 1024: Defunding DEI in Education

Missouri House Bill 1024 proposes banning the use of state funds for DEI programs in K–12 and higher education. The bill defines DEI as any initiative promoting DEI principles and prohibits public schools, universities, and technical colleges from funding such programs.

Institutions found violating the law would be required to return misused funds, forfeit state funding for the fiscal year, and have future allocations withheld until compliance is restored. The Missouri Departments of Education and Higher Education would oversee enforcement, with residents and employees able to file complaints. An annual report would detail recovered state funds and enforcement actions.

Nebraska Legislative Bill 552: Prohibiting DEI Offices in Higher Education

Nebraska Legislative Bill 552  would prohibit public colleges and universities from maintaining DEI offices or programs. The bill defines DEI offices as those influencing hiring based on race, gender identity, or ethnicity, conducting DEI-related training, or promoting preferential treatment.

The bill would explicitly bar:

  • DEI-related hiring preferences.
  • Mandatory DEI training.
  • State-funded DEI initiatives.

The bill would exempt compliance with federal laws, grant applications, accreditation, and academic research. Student organizations and guest speakers would remain unaffected. The bill would grant employees legal recourse against institutions requiring DEI participation.

South Carolina House Bill 3184: Banning DEI in Public Universities

South Carolina House Bill 3184 would ban public universities from using state funds to influence hiring or admissions based on DEI-related statements. It would ban:

  • DEI statements for job applicants.
  • DEI training for faculty or staff.
  • Discriminating based on political ideology in hiring.

The bill would also mandate annual reporting on DEI-related expenses and complaints. While universities could comply with federal laws, the legislation would otherwise ban state-funded DEI programs.

Texas Executive and Legislative Action on DEI Bans

In January 2025, Governor Greg Abbott issued Executive Order GA 55, directing state agencies to comply with the U.S. and Texas Constitutions’ “color-blind” principles. Citing the Students for Fair Admissions decision, Abbott’s order bans race-based considerations in hiring, government policies, and curricula. The order mandates eliminating rules that promote concepts like collective guilt or racial bias training.

Additionally, Texas state lawmakers introduced House Bill 436 which seeks to ban DEI requirements in hiring, training, and contracting at government agencies, school districts, and charter schools. It would ban:

  • Mandatory DEI statements or training as employment conditions.
  • DEI-related conditions in government contracting.
  • Preferential treatment based on DEI criteria.

Employees subjected to mandatory DEI programs could seek legal action. The bill follows a 2023 law banning DEI practices at Texas public universities.

West Virginia Governor Issues anti-DEI EO

On January 14, 2025, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrissey signed Executive Order No. 3-25, banning state agencies from funding DEI programs that grant preferential treatment based on race, color, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. The order directs:

  • State agencies and publicly funded entities to cease DEI-related spending.
  • Public universities to eliminate DEI offices.

Following the order, West Virginia University (WVU) announced the closure of its Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, replacing it with a Division of Campus Engagement and Compliance to focus on legal compliance.

Wyoming Bill SF0103: Banning DEI in State Agencies and Universities

In February 2025, the Wyoming Senate passed SF0103, which seeks to eliminate state funding for DEI offices, programs, and positions across state agencies and educational institutions. The bill would also ban:

  • DEI-related hiring requirements.
  • DEI courses as mandatory degree requirements.
  • Incentives for faculty to include DEI content in curricula.

Exemptions would exist for compliance with federal laws, tribal relations, and academic research. If enacted, SF0103 would significantly limit DEI programs in Wyoming’s public sector and higher education system.

From The Experts

Expert insights from the authors at Duane Morris Government Strategies.

Ryan Stevens

As more states implement policies restricting DEI initiatives, the debate over diversity programs in public institutions continues to grow. These new laws and executive actions will shape the landscape of hiring, education, and government policies for years to come.

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