FRANKFORT, Ky. — Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies at Kentucky colleges are closer to being banned under state law. The Kentucky House passed House Bill 4 on Wednesday, which would ban "discriminatory concepts" at Kentucky's colleges and universities.

What You Need To Know

  • The House advanced a bill which would ban DEI initiatives at Kentucky colleges and universities  

  • House Bill 4 passed along party lines 81-18 

  • Supporters argue it puts Kentucky in line with Supreme Court rulings and treats everyone equally, regardless of their background 

  • Opponents said DEI is crucial to student and staff recruitment and eliminating it is a step backward

Following a national trend among Republicans, HB 4 would prohibit Kentucky colleges and universities from providing differential treatment to an individual based on race, sex, religion or national origin in admissions, scholarships and hiring practices.

The bill also bans universities from funding DEI offices, prohibits DEI training for students and staff and tightens the criteria for investigating bias incidents, among other things.

State Rep. Jennifer Decker, R-Waddy, said taxpayers should not fund concepts which "discriminate" against other students.

“We have paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for the past 14 years on these failed initiatives," Decker said. "There was a promise that they would improve the enrollment numbers of underrepresented minorities, and that promise has not come true." 

The House passed HB 4 with 81 "YEA" votes to 18 "NAY" votes along party lines. Republicans said DEI initiatives are discriminatory by preferring certain races, genders and religions over others.

State Rep. Matt Lockett, R-Nicholasville, co-sponsored the bill because he said he believes everyone should be treated the same.

“God loves everyone in this room, regardless of your skin color, regardless of where you came from, regardless of where you’re going," Lockett said. "God loves you, and this bill puts everybody on the same level playing field." 

Opponents of the bill, the entire House Democratic Caucus, argued DEI is about creating accepting campus cultures for people of all backgrounds and is crucial to recruitment of both students and staff.

State Rep. George Brown, D-Lexington, said Kentucky and the country’s history should be considered. He pointed to women not being allowed to vote until 1919 and Black people not being allowed to vote until 1965.

“We’re talking about turning back the clock on what happened in America, and I think we’re on a dangerous path to autocracy that will lead us back to a place and a space that we came from," Brown said.

Decker said despite critics saying so, the bill does not target student centers or student-led organizations which act in their individual capacity.

“This bill targets no one," Decker said. "It targets unconstitutional actions; that’s what it targets." 

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. Last year, both chambers had pieces of legislation that would ban DEI in higher education; however, neither bill passed due to the chambers being unable to agree to one another's changes.

University of Kentucky spokesperson Jay Blanton sent Spectrum News 1 a statement reading, "From an initial analysis, we believe the university is already in compliance with key aspects of the legislation. During the summer of 2024, President Eli Capilouto initiated a series of conversations with policymakers and dozens of members of the UK campus. From those conversations and feedback received he announced a series of substantive policy changes."

"As always, we appreciate the ongoing dialogue we’ve been able to have with our policymakers about this and other issues."

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