INDIANAPOLIS - This week, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed SB 289 placing increased burdens on state agencies and educational diversity programs and SB 235 eliminating DEI programs in state agencies and public universities.
Chris Daley, ACLU of Indiana executive director, issued the following statement:
“In an increasingly diverse state, Indiana elected officials should be investing in programs that promote fairness in state agencies and public universities. Instead, with bills like SB 289 and 235, the state doubles and triples down on policies that abandon state employees and residents and students they serve. Fairness is a Hoosier value – even though it’s been a long time since one of our legislative sessions reflected that.
SB 235 is so broad that, if it becomes law, it will prohibit state agencies and public universities from funding any meaningful efforts to prevent discrimination and harassment in state employment. This will leave tens of thousands of employees without effective protection from unlawful employment practices.
From state agencies to college campuses, DEI programs and practices make our institutions better and more likely to provide equal opportunities to all Hoosiers – just as the law requires.”
