Alabama lawmakers give final approval to restrictions on 'divisive concepts' in education
The Alabama Senate gave final approval to SB129 on Tuesday, a bill restricting the teaching and funding of topics deemed "divisive concepts" in workplaces and educational settings.
The Senate concurred with the House on the bill by a vote of 25 to 4.
Authored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, the bill prohibits certain public agencies from maintaining offices of diversity, equity and inclusion, from sponsoring DEI programs and from promoting, endorsing and affirming certain "divisive concepts" in certain public settings.
The legislation also requires higher education institutions to "designate restrooms on the basis of biological sex."
The bill also allows for penalties for violations, but specific penalties were not listed.
The bill does not prohibit institutions of higher education from "performing research, collecting data, engaging in recruiting and outreach programs, offering academic support services, engaging in clinical trials, or providing medical or mental health care targeted to support individuals of any specific demographic."
Students from various universities across the state have opposed the legislation, even holding a rally against the bill March 6 outside of the Statehouse. They say the bill was anti-DEI and went against progress in the state.
The ACLU of Alabama denounced the bill as well as SB1, which restricts absentee voting assistance, in a statement Tuesday.
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“This is a blow for the civic groups, students, and everyday Alabamians who showed up to oppose these bills, but our work doesn't stop here,” said JaTaune Bosby Gilchrist, executive director of ACLU of Alabama. “Whether it's in the courts, through community action, or continued lobbying, we won't stop fighting for the rights and freedoms of ALL Alabamians. We hope you stay in the fight with us for the long haul.”
Dr. Melvin J. Brown, superintendent of Montgomery Public Schools, and other state educators also spoke out against the bill earlier this month.
"Diversity and inclusion provides an educational experience that allows students to explore a range of perspectives and cultures worldwide. We must create a culture of belonging for every student, no matter their background, preferences, or socioeconomic status. As educators, it is our job to ensure we cultivate environments that allow students to feel safe and prepare them for an evolving world. Introducing a bill that limits this interaction is detrimental to the success of our students’ futures,” Brown said in a statement.
Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill into law Wednesday.
“My Administration has and will continue to value Alabama’s rich diversity, however, I refuse to allow a few bad actors on college campuses – or wherever else for that matter – to go under the acronym of DEI, using taxpayer funds, to push their liberal political movement counter to what the majority of Alabamians believe. We have already taken action to prevent this in our K-12 classrooms, and I am pleased to sign SB129 to protect our college campuses. Supporting academic freedom, embracing diversity of cultures and backgrounds and treating people fairly are all key components of what we believe in Alabama, and I am more than confident that will continue," Ivey said.
Victor Hagan is the Alabama Election Reporting Fellow for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at vhagan@gannett.com or on X @TheVictorHagan. To support his work, subscribe to the Advertiser.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama lawmakers give final approval to 'divisive concepts' bill
