Gov. Kay Ivey Wednesday signed legislation prohibiting controvesrial Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs and departments in state government, including public schools and colleges. The bill also bars the teaching of "divisive concepts" like Critical Race Theory. "My administration has and will continue to value Alabama's rich diversity, however, I refuse to allow a few bad actors on college campuses - or wherever else for that matter - to go under the acronym of DEI, using taxpayer funds, to push their liberal political movement counter to what the majority of Alabamians believe," Ivey said. The bill also requires public colleges and universities to designate restrooms on the basis of biological sex.
The legislation received overwhelming support from the Legislature, passing the House 75-28 and the Senate 24-5.