House Bill 171 would ban dedicated DEI staff positions and training programs related to race, sex, ethnicity, nationality, and sexual orientation.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ A new bill introduced in the North Carolina General Assembly would prohibit state agencies and local governments from maintaining diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs or using public funds for DEI initiatives.
House Bill 171, titled “Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI,” would affect all state agencies, universities, community colleges and local government entities. The legislation would ban dedicated DEI staff positions and training programs related to race, sex, ethnicity, nationality and sexual orientation.
“Taxpayer dollars should fund merit, not woke agendas and identity politics,” Rep. Brenden Jones, the bill’s sponsor, posted on X.ย
The bill includes several enforcement mechanisms. State employees who violate the law could face removal from office, and knowing violations would constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor. The legislation also allows both state employees and private citizens to file civil lawsuits seeking damages or injunctive relief.
However, the bill explicitly preserves compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws, including Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Civil Rights Act. It also exempts certain activities, including academic course instruction, scholarly research, student organizations, and guest speakers.
If passed, state agencies and local governments would need to report annually on their compliance efforts beginning February 2026. The State Auditor would conduct periodic audits to ensure organizations follow the new rules.
The bill maintains certain sex-based distinctions, such as single-sex sports teams, bathrooms, locker rooms and student housing options at public universities.
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