summary
Introduced
03/25/2025
03/25/2025
In Committee
09/22/2025
09/22/2025
Crossed Over
04/10/2025
04/10/2025
Passed
06/24/2026
06/24/2026
Dead
Vetoed
07/03/2025
07/03/2025
Veto Overridden
06/24/2026
06/24/2026
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
06/24/2026
06/24/2026
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT TO DEMONSTRATE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S INTENT THAT STUDENTS, PROFESSORS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND OTHER EMPLOYEES OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION RECOGNIZE THE EQUALITY AND RIGHTS OF ALL PERSONS AND TO PROHIBIT PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION FROM PROMOTING CERTAIN CONCEPTS THAT ARE CONTRARY TO THAT INTENT. Whereas, President Trump issued an executive order on January 21, 2025, to ensure that higher education recipients of federal funds comply with all applicable laws prohibiting illegal discrimination and comply with the decision of the United States Supreme Court in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, 600 U.S. 181 (2023); and Whereas, in the last fiscal year, North Carolina received $2.4 billion in federal funding for public higher education, demonstrating the importance of ensuring that public institutions of higher education remain in compliance with federal regulations to protect education funding; and Whereas, the General Assembly is committed to ensuring all North Carolina students enrolled in public institutions of higher education receive a meaningful education based on academic excellence, critical thinking, and the free exchange of ideas; and Whereas, it is the State's role to protect the practice of higher education for students and professors; and Whereas, so-called "DEI" programs promote a worldview that demands people, especially young students, judge others based on their race, sex, or other factors and attack true diversity of thought, stifle opportunity, and stoke division; Now, therefore,
AI Summary
This bill mandates that public higher education institutions in North Carolina, including the University of North Carolina system and community colleges, must adopt policies that prohibit discriminatory practices and the endorsement or promotion of "divisive concepts," which are defined as ideas suggesting inherent superiority or inferiority of races or sexes, or that individuals are inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive based on their race or sex. The bill also prohibits these institutions from maintaining offices or units named "diversity, equity, and inclusion" (DEI) that promote such concepts, and from compelling students or staff to affirm belief in them. While the bill aims to ensure respect for dignity and differing opinions, it allows for the discussion of divisive concepts for research or independent study, and in specific degree programs at the chancellor's discretion, provided the institution does not endorse them. Furthermore, it prohibits community colleges and UNC constituent institutions from establishing processes to report or investigate speech protected by the First Amendment, such as satire or microaggressions, and requires annual certification of compliance with these new provisions.
Committee Categories
Education, Government Affairs, Justice
Sponsors (23)
Phil Berger (R)*,
Kevin Corbin (R)*,
Brad Overcash (R)*,
Ted Alexander (R),
Lisa Barnes (R),
Robert Brinson (R),
Dave Craven (R),
Warren Daniel (R),
Carl Ford (R),
Amy Galey (R),
Robert Hanig (R),
Ralph Hise (R),
Mark Hollo (R),
Brent Jackson (R),
Todd Johnson (R),
Dana Jones (R),
Michael Lazzara (R),
Michael Lee (R),
Tim Moffitt (R),
Buck Newton (R),
Bill Rabon (R),
Norman Sanderson (R),
Eddie Settle (R),
Last Action
Ch. SL 2026-21 (on 06/24/2026)
Bill Topics
Civil Rights, Minority Issues, and Civil Liberties
- ‐ Ethnic Minority and Racial Group Discrimination
- ‐ Freedom of Speech and Religion
Education
- ‐ Higher Education
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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