Bill > HB480

This bill mandates that state public educational institutions, which include public elementary and secondary schools, vocational schools, community colleges, and universities, must prohibit antisemitism and treat discrimination motivated by antisemitic intent the same as discrimination based on race. Antisemitism is defined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) Working Definition, which includes contemporary examples of prejudice and hatred towards Jewish people. The bill provides specific examples of what constitutes antisemitic intent, such as praising terrorist groups that call for the killing of Jews, participating in or supporting the Boycott, Divestment, or Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel, or allowing antisemitic events that intimidate Jewish students. It also requires these institutions to integrate this definition into their codes of conduct and encourages antisemitism awareness training. The State Department of Education, Mississippi Community College Board, and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning are designated as the "state bodies" responsible for monitoring, investigating, and reporting on antisemitic activity within the institutions under their purview, with the power to reduce funding or impose punitive actions if institutions fail to comply after receiving written notice. Importantly, the bill clarifies that criticism of Israel similar to criticism of any other country is not considered antisemitic and that the act does not infringe upon First Amendment rights or conflict with existing discrimination laws. Furthermore, it amends existing law to ensure that prohibitions against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) statements and policies do not apply to the provisions of this new act, and it brings forward existing sections of Mississippi Code related to non-discrimination in schools and charter schools for potential amendment.

Education

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB0480.xml