New state law cracking down on DEI to take effect next week

INDIANAPOLIS — A new state law cracking down on DEI initiatives will go into effect next week.

Lawmakers significantly scaled back SB 289 (which started out as a blanket ban on DEI) before it was signed into law. Still, several of Indiana’s public colleges preemptively shut down DEI offices and programs in anticipation of this law going into effect.

“It really is going to impact how we, the state of Indiana, are seen,” State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) said.

The law stipulates that Indiana’s public schools, colleges and medical licensing boards can no longer use state money for DEI initiatives.

“If you have a different racial, religious background or you belong to a minority, then this legislation sends a message,” State Sen. Fady Qaddoura (D-Indianapolis) said.

“I think it also sets a bad precedence [sic] of some of the things we’ve seen that governments are getting into education and mandating what they do,” State Rep. Harris Jr. said.

The law also prohibits public institutions from hiring, firing or granting a medical license based on a person’s race, religion, color or sex. The legislator behind the law said it’s to ensure to government treats all Hoosiers equally.

“Government cannot discriminate based on those personal characteristics—that’s what this is about,” said State Sen. Gary Byrne (R-Byrneville), who authored SEA 289.

The bill also makes changes to teaching scholarships designed for minority students. Now, the scholarships will be awarded to students who live in five underserved counties (specifically, Marion, Allen, Vanderburgh, Lake, and St. Joseph County).

“This legislation will severely impact students who are trying to escape the poverty cycle,” Sen. Qaddoura said.

The law goes into effect on Tuesday, July 1.