Vetoed by Governor Josh Stein

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in local and state government agencies in North Carolina.

Highlights:

• Prohibits state agencies from promoting, supporting, funding, implementing, or maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in North Carolina (Sec. 1.1). 

• Defines DEI as a program, policy, initiative, or activity designed to do any of the following (Sec. 1.1):

• Influence hiring or employment decisions based on race, sex, ethnicity, nationality, or sexual orientation; or

• Provide special treatment based on race, sex, ethnicity, nationality, or sexual orientation.

• Prohibits public funds from being utilized for DEI programs (Sec. 1.2). 

• Requires the State Auditor to determine violations of the provisions of this bill and report such violations to the General Assembly, the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, and the Attorney General (Sec. 1.1). 

• Authorizes any individual to bring a civil action for a violation of this section (Sec. 1.1). 

• Specifies that any individual who knowingly violates the provisions of this bill shall be subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation (Sec. 1.3). 

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect December 1, 2025 (Sec. 2.1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in local and state government agencies in North Carolina.

Highlights:

• Prohibits state agencies from promoting, supporting, funding, implementing, or maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in North Carolina (Sec. 1.1). 

• Defines DEI as a program, policy, initiative, or activity designed to do any of the following (Sec. 1.1):

• Influence hiring or employment decisions based on race, sex, ethnicity, nationality, or sexual orientation; or

• Provide special treatment based on race, sex, ethnicity, nationality, or sexual orientation.

• Prohibits public funds from being utilized for DEI programs (Sec. 1.2). 

• Requires the State Auditor to determine violations of the provisions of this bill and report such violations to the General Assembly, the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, and the Attorney General (Sec. 1.1). 

• Authorizes any individual to bring a civil action for a violation of this section (Sec. 1.1). 

• Specifies that any individual who knowingly violates the provisions of this bill shall be subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation (Sec. 1.3). 

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect December 1, 2025 (Sec. 2.1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in local and state government agencies in North Carolina.

Highlights:

• Prohibits state agencies from promoting, supporting, funding, implementing, or maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in North Carolina (Sec. 1.1). 

• Defines DEI as a program, policy, initiative, or activity designed to do any of the following (Sec. 1.1):

• Influence hiring or employment decisions based on race, sex, ethnicity, nationality, or sexual orientation; or

• Provide special treatment based on race, sex, ethnicity, nationality, or sexual orientation.

• Prohibits public funds from being utilized for DEI programs (Sec. 1.2). 

• Requires the State Auditor to determine violations of the provisions of this bill and report such violations to the General Assembly, the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, and the Attorney General (Sec. 1.1). 

• Authorizes any individual to bring a civil action for a violation of this section (Sec. 1.1). 

• Specifies that any individual who knowingly violates the provisions of this bill shall be subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation (Sec. 1.3). 

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect December 1, 2025 (Sec. 2.1).

Full Bill Text