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Bill > H3927

SC H3927

SC H3927
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

summary

Introduced
02/06/2025
In Committee
04/10/2025
Crossed Over
04/03/2025
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

126th General Assembly

Bill Summary

Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Enacting The "ending Illegal Discrimination And Restoring Merit-based Opportunity Act" By Adding Article 29 To Title 1, Chapter 1 So As To Prohibit Every Office, Division, Or Other Unit By Any Name Of Every Office Or Department Of This State, And All Of Its Political Subdivisions, Including All Institutions Of Higher Learning And School Districts, From Promoting Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion, And To Provide Exceptions; And To Promote Individual Initiative, Excellence, And Hard Work; And To Specify Applicability.

AI Summary

This bill amends South Carolina law to prohibit state and local government entities, including public schools and higher education institutions, from implementing or promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies that could be considered discriminatory. The legislation defines DEI as preferences or policies that constitute illegal discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Under the bill, public entities are banned from implementing DEI programs, giving preferential treatment based on diversity considerations, requiring DEI statements, establishing DEI offices, or mandating DEI training. The bill requires contractors and grant recipients to certify that they do not operate programs violating anti-discrimination laws, and institutions of higher learning must seek alternative accreditation if their current accrediting agency requires DEI programs. The legislation includes exceptions for veterans' preferences and First Amendment-protected speech, and it does not impact protections for individuals with disabilities. The bill allows the Inspector General to investigate complaints about potential DEI violations and empowers the Attorney General to bring enforcement actions. The provisions will take effect upon the Governor's approval and will first apply to the 2025-2026 fiscal and school years, with the stated goal of promoting individual merit, excellence, and hard work while protecting civil rights.

Committee Categories

Education, Justice

Sponsors (77)

Doug Gilliam (R)*,  William Bailey (R),  Nathan Ballentine (R),  Bruce Bannister (R),  Thomas Beach (R),  Phillip Bowers (R),  Jeff Bradley (R),  Gary Brewer (R),  Case Brittain (R),  Joe Bustos (R),  Micah Caskey (R),  Don Chapman (R),  Bobby Cox (R),  Brandon Cox (R),  Heather Crawford (R),  April Cromer (R),  Sylleste Davis (R),  Sarita Edgerton (R),  Shannon Erickson (R),  Cal Forrest (R),  Craig Gagnon (R),  Gil Gatch (R),  Daniel Gibson (R),  Thomas Lee Gilreath (R),  Val Guest (R),  Brandon Guffey (R),  Patrick Haddon (R),  Bill Hager (R),  Kevin Hardee (R),  Tom Hartnett (R),  Charles Hartz (R),  Bill Herbkersman (R),  Lee Hewitt (R),  Davey Hiott (R),  Bill Hixon (R),  Harriet Holman (R),  William Huff (R),  Jeff Johnson (R),  Jay Jordan (R),  Jay Kilmartin (R),  Kathy Landing (R),  Brian Lawson (R),  Randy Ligon (R),  Steven Long (R),  Phillip Lowe (R),  Josiah Magnuson (R),  David Martin (R),  John McCravy (R),  Tim McGinnis (R),  Cody Mitchell (R),  Scott Montgomery (R),  Travis Moore (R),  Dennis Moss (R),  Chris Murphy (R),  Mike Neese (R),  Brandon Newton (R),  Weston Newton (R),  Melissa Oremus (R),  Jordan Pace (R),  Fawn Pedalino (R),  Tommy Pope (R),  Luke Rankin (R),  Robby Robbins (R),  Blake Sanders (R),  Carla Schuessler (R),  Heath Sessions (R),  Mark Smith (R),  Murrell Smith (R),  Bill Taylor (R),  James Teeple (R),  Jackie Terribile (R),  David Vaughan (R),  Bill Whitmire (R),  Paul Wickensimer (R),  Mark Willis (R),  Chris Wooten (R),  Richie Yow (R), 

Last Action

Referred to Committee on Judiciary (on 04/10/2025)
(1 Companion Bills)

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