(The Center Square) – Equality and merit in local and state government shall be the guiding rule and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are prohibited and subject to penalty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, says a proposal in the North Carolina House of Representatives.
Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI, or House Bill 171, was filed Friday and on Monday referred to the Committee on Judiciary 1. A favorable endorsement from the panel led by Chairman Ted Davis Jr., R-New Hanover, would bring the legislation to the Rules Committee.
The six-page draft says the effective date, if it becomes law, would be immediate.
To be in violation, the language of the bill says a person would “knowingly and willfully violate” the statute “regarding the use of public monies. An offending officer or employee is subject to removal from office or employment.” Damages could be levied; and the “unit of local government or entity receiving public funds shall have a duty to pursue the recoupment of misspent funds by all lawful means available, including the filing of a civil action in the General Court of Justice,” the bill says.
State agencies, units of local government, or non-state entities cannot use state funds or public money to “promote, support, fund, implement, or maintain diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives or programs.”
The legislation filed by Rep. Brenden Jones, R-Columbus, includes Republican Reps. Neal Jackson of Moore County, Jarrod Lowery of Robeson County and Blair Eddins of Wilkes County as primary sponsors. Forty-four more lawmakers are also listed as sponsors.
“Taxpayers dollars should fund merit, not woke agendas and identity politics,” Jones said. “This bill upholds equal opportunity and ensures employment and contracts are based on qualifications, not quotas.”
The bill up front says, “No state agency shall promote, support, fund, implement, or maintain workplace DEI programs, policies or initiatives, including, but not limited to, using DEI in state government hirings and employment; maintaining dedicated DEI staff positions or offices; or offering or requiring diversity, equity and inclusion training.”
The proposal is direct in saying nothing “shall be construed to conflict” with the First Amendment or Title IX. The state auditor is responsible for “periodic compliance audits to determine whether there has been a violation.”
Bill language is specific to include application to nonexempt state employees in the executive branch; nonexempt employees of the state’s public university system; and nonexempt employees of the state’s community college system.
