Arkansas House of Representatives Passes Bill Banning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies
In a controversial move, the Arkansas House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 520, a bill that would ban diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and practices at the local level. The bill, if signed into law, would prohibit local governments from implementing hiring and employment policies that consider DEI, as well as DEI offices, programs, and practices.
Sponsored by Rep. Alyssa Brown and Sen. Dan Sullivan, the bill has sparked heated debates among lawmakers. Sullivan argued that the state needed to align itself with the current presidential administration’s positions on DEI, referencing President Donald Trump’s executive order to shut down DEI programs within the federal government.
Critics of the bill, such as Rep. Jessie McGruder, questioned why the legislation was targeting local governments when state lawmakers typically emphasize “local control.” McGruder argued that each city should have the right to govern its own community without interference.
However, Brown defended the bill by stating that discrimination is illegal under federal and state civil rights laws, and that SB 520 aims to prevent discrimination while ensuring consistency with state laws. She also highlighted the importance of upholding constitutional rights at a state level.
Private citizens would have the right to sue local governments if they continue to violate the prohibition against DEI policies under the proposed law. The bill now awaits approval from the governor before it becomes law, sparking further debates and discussions among Arkansas lawmakers and residents.
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