NC House bans DEI in public institutions

A bill banning diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in state government agencies officially passed the North Carolina House of Representatives on Thursday in a 69-45 party-line vote.

House Bill 171 proposes a ban on the promotion, funding, and implementation of DEI programs within state agencies, including in hiring practices, training programs, and the establishment of DEI offices.

Sponsored by Reps. Brenden Jones, R-Columbus; Neal Jackson, R-Moore; Jarrod Lowery, R-Robeson; and Blair Eddins, R-Wilkes, leaders of the effort argue that taxpayers deserve to know their dollars are funding a government that operates on fairness and equal opportunity, rather than ideological mandates at the expense of efficiency and public trust.

“We’ve seen out institutions drift. We’ve watched government move away from excellence toward agenda hiring, favoring narratives over qualifications, checking boxes instead of resumes,” said Jones. “Bureaucracy has grown, not to serve but to sort, dividing people by race, sex, background, and calling it progress. It puts an end to the idea that background should outweigh ability.”

Democrats spent hours late Wednesday afternoon expressing their opposition to the bill, describing DEI as a way to ensure students — particularly marginalized individuals — are given the support they need to succeed. They argued that it as an anti-diversity bill that sends a message that the state is no longer committed to creating an equitable educational system.

Violations of the proposed law could result in civil penalties, removal from office, or even criminal charges. House Minority Leader Robert Reives, D-Chatham, said the state employee vacancy rates remain at a record high and asked Jones if it’s a good idea to subject state employees to a $10,000 fine for violating the law.

“On the contrary, I think this is going to be a good thing because we’re doing away with divisiveness; we’re doing away with discrimination,” said Jones. “It gives us an opportunity to go to a greater pool of folks to be hired. So it’s going to actually open the doors up for more employees to be hired to the state who feel confident that they’re qualified for the job that they will get the job, rather than being suppressed because they’re worried about traits that they can’t control.”

DEI is officially done in North Carolina. Proud to announce that my bill HB 171 has officially passed the NC House.

HB 171 ends taxpayer funded DEI programs in the state, & requires employment and contracts are based solely on merit not identity politics. #ncpol #meritmatters pic.twitter.com/7wub4dCY3z

— Rep. Brenden Jones (@BrendenJonesNC) April 30, 2025

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration, which has been supportive of prohibiting DEI in other bills this session. The Senate passed a measure in April to ban DEI in higher education amid an influx of divisive concepts and practices being embraced on college campuses. 

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