Gov. Bill Lee has signed into law two bills meant to end diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the state’s governments and public institutions.
One law — known as the Dismantle DEI Act — is aimed at ending initiatives in state government, local governments and public universities that promote considering race, gender, national origin, age and other characteristics in hiring decisions. Another law — the Dismantling DEI Departments Act — bars governments and public universities from operating offices using discriminatory preferences to advance DEI.
Both laws signed by Lee, a Republican, mirror efforts at the federal level to end those initiatives.
Rep. Aron Maberry, R-Clarksville, sponsored both pieces of legislation in the state House. Maberry in a statement after his bills passed said that he put the measures forward hoping to end bias.