New North Carolina bill would ban DEI in state agencies

Republican North Carolina legislators want to rid state agencies of policies promoting diversity, equity or inclusion.

Under House Bill 171, no state agency could “promote, support, fund, implement or maintain workplace DEI programs, policies, or initiatives.” The bill instructs the state auditor — Republican Dave Boliek — to conduct periodic audits of state agencies to ensure compliance. A state employee who violates the law could lose their job and face a misdemeanor criminal charge.

The bill would also prohibit the use of state funds for DEI initiatives by local governments and “non-state” entities. The bill hasn’t come up for a vote in the state Senate or state House of Representatives.

Republicans have controlled the state legislature since 2011 and have won leadership roles in several state agencies in recent years.

House Bill 171 comes just a month after President Donald Trump signed an executive order that aims to end DEI programs in the federal government. A federal judge recently paused Trump’s order, blocking the administration from terminating or changing federal contracts they consider equity-related.

In North Carolina, Democrats currently lead the governor’s office, attorney general’s office, Department of Public Instruction, and secretary of state’s office. Boliek, the state auditor, and Labor Commissioner Luke Farley announced earlier this month that they are halting all DEI policies in their offices.

Last year, lawmakers banned public universities and state agencies from asking current or prospective employees to state their opinions on social issues in a law that also broadly banned training programs if they endorse certain ideas about racism, sexism and other topics.