States With Restrictions on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Concepts in Higher Education

A number of states have passed legislation banning the inclusion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) concepts in higher education. These restrictions may affect ASHA members who work in higher education and could impact members' ability to access continuing education in order to meet ASHA’s certification requirements. The language used below is consistent with state statutes.

This information is reviewed on an annual basis. Please be advised that laws, regulations, and policies may change at any time, so always check with your state for the most up-to-date information. This material is shared for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice, which can only be provided by an attorney.

Alabama

Alabama law prohibits an institution of higher education from requiring students to attend or participate in any DEI program, training, orientation, or coursework if it advocates for or requires assent to a "divisive concept."

Reference: SB 129 (2024) [PDF]

Arkansas

Arkansas law bans affirmative action by state and local agencies, including public colleges.

Reference: SB 3 (2025) [PDF]

Arkansas law prohibits public institutions of higher learning from requiring diversity statements in hiring; requiring diversity statements from accreditors; collecting information related to diversity, equity, and inclusion; or basing an accreditation decision on reviews of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Reference: HB 1512 (2025) [PDF]

Florida

Florida law restricts the use of state or federal funds to promote, support, or maintain any programs or campus activities in the Florida College System institution, state university, or their direct-support organization to advocate for DEI or promote or engage in political or social activism.

Reference: SB 266 (2023) [PDF]

Florida law also prohibits the state's public institutions from giving preferential consideration for employment, admission, or promotion to individuals who show support for "any ideology or movement that promotes the differential treatment of a person or a group of persons based on race or ethnicity, including an initiative or a formulation of diversity, equity, and inclusion."

Reference: HB 931 (2023) [PDF]

Idaho

Idaho law bans diversity statements in hiring and admissions decisions. This includes any written or oral statement that discusses an applicant or candidate's "race, sex, color, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or views on, experience with, or contributions to DEI."

Reference: SB 1274 (2024)

Indiana

Indiana law prohibits colleges from using diversity statements.

Reference: SB 202 (2024) [PDF]

Indiana law bans DEI offices and personal as well as internal DEI audits at public universities.

Reference: SB 289 (2024) [PDF]

Iowa

Iowa law bans DEI offices at state colleges and universities and limits the types of positions and viewpoints an institution can promote. Viewpoints that schools cannot promote include allyship, antiracism, microaggressions, systemic oppression, gender theory, transgender ideology, and more.

Reference: SF 2435 (2024) [PDF]

Iowa law extends the ban on preferential hiring, funding DEI offices, or employing DEI officers to community colleges. The law also prohibits public colleges from requiring diversity training or enrolling in courses that include DEI as a graduation requirement.

Reference: HF 856 (2025)

Kansas

Kansas law prohibits public colleges from requiring a diversity statement from students or employees.

Reference: HB 2105 (2024)

Kentucky

Kentucky law prohibits public colleges from establishing or maintaining DEI offices; employing DEI officers; or providing DEI training. The law also prohibits colleges from requiring diversity statements and ends race-conscious preferences.

Reference: HB 4 (2025) [PDF]

Mississippi

Mississippi law prohibits DEI programs, diversity training, and the use of diversity statements in admissions or hiring. It also prohibits the teaching of "divisive concepts."

Reference: HB 1193 (2025) [PDF]

New Hampshire

New Hampshire prohibits all public entities from implementing, promoting, or otherwise engaging in any DEI-related initiatives, programs, training, or policies. The law also prohibits all public schools from implementing, promoting, or otherwise engaging in any DEI-related initiatives, programs, training, or policies and provides processes for the review and termination or amendment of noncompliant contracts and provides for funding halts in the event of a violation.

Reference: HB 2 (2025)

North Carolina

North Carolina law prohibits state agencies, the University of North Carolina system, and community colleges from requiring diversity statements. The law also prohibits diversity training in "divisive concepts."

Reference: SB 364 (2023) [PDF]

North Dakota

North Dakota law prohibits an institution under control of the state board of higher education from conducting mandatory training of a student or employee. The law also prohibits these institutions from using a training program if the program includes a "divisive concept."

Reference: SB 2247 (2023) [PDF]

Ohio

Ohio law prohibits the use of diversity statements in hiring, promotions, and admissions. The law also bans diversity training and DEI offices.

Reference: SB 1 (2025) [PDF]

Oklahoma

Oklahoma law bans institutions from using state funds on "diversity, equity, and inclusion positions, departments, activities, procedures, or programs to the extent they grant preferential treatment based on one person’s particular race, color, ethnicity, or national origin over another’s." It also bans mandatory diversity training and use of diversity statements in hiring.

Reference: SB 796 (2025) [PDF]

Tennessee

Tennessee law prohibits a local education agency or public charter school from requiring an educator or other employee to participate in implicit bias training. This includes making the completion of this training a requirement for licensure or professional development.

This law also prohibits public institutions of higher education from requiring a faculty member or employee to participate in implicit bias training.

Reference: SB 102 (2023) [PDF]

Tennessee law also allows students and employees to report professors who teach "divisive concepts" to their institution.

Reference: HB 1376 (2023) [PDF]

Tennessee law bans affirmative action and prohibits the use of race, color, ethnicity or national origin in university admissions, activities, and financial aid decisions.

Reference: SB 376 (2025) [PDF]

Tennessee law bans state colleges from considering "race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability" in hiring.

Reference: HB 622 (2025) [PDF]

Tennessee law bans state colleges from having an office that "promotes or requires discriminatory preferences in an effort to increase diversity, equity, or inclusion."

Reference: SB 1084/HB 923 (2025) [PDF]

Texas

Texas law prohibits the governing board of public institutions of higher education from maintaining a DEI office, hiring a third party to fulfill the duties of a DEI office, requiring a DEI statement for employment, or requiring DEI training.

Reference: SB 17 (2023) [PDF]

Utah

Utah law eliminates training requirements that promote "differential treatment," prohibits race in hiring practices, and prohibits higher education, state board, and government employees from establishing or maintaining a DEI office.

Reference: HB 261 (2024)

West Virginia

West Virginia law prohibits public colleges from requiring or soliciting diversity statements in hiring, promotion, or admissions. The law also prohibits them from giving preferential consideration to applicants, students, faculty, and staff members "on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation." The law also bans mandatory diversity training and spending on DEI efforts. It prohibits in required courses the idea, among others, that "one race, ethnic group, or biological sex is morally, or intellectually superior to another race, ethnic group, or biological sex for any inherent or innate reason."

Reference: SB 474 (2025)

Wyoming

Wyoming law defunded and barred state spending for a DEI office at the University of Wyoming.

Reference: HB 1 (2024) [PDF]

Wyoming law prohibits state government entities, including the University of Wyoming and community colleges, from engaging in any DEI program, activity, or policy. The legislation defines "diversity, equity, and inclusion" as "any program, activity, or policy that promotes differential or preferential treatment of individuals or classifies individuals on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin."

Reference: HB 147 (2025) [PDF]