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S10482025 Regular Session

Adds to existing law to establish provisions to ensure freedom of inquiry in higher education.

EDUCATION -- Adds to existing law to establish provisions to ensure freedom of inquiry in higher education.

IntroducedIn CommitteeFloor VoteEnacted
▶ Show statement of purpose

This legislation works to protect freedom of inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge in Idaho’s institutions of higher education by freeing students and faculty from compulsory ideological training. It prohibits DEI-based discrimination in admission and hiring, DEI-related employee incentives, DEI offices and officer positions, diversity training, and bias reporting systems. Students also may not be forced to enroll in a course designed and implemented with DEI principles unless their chosen course of study is based on these concepts. Institutions are held accountable via annual reporting to the Attorney General and legislature, along with a private cause of action for injunctive relief and/or penalties from the AG’s office for failure to comply. This will not affect centers and scholarships for American Indian students.

▶ Show fiscal note

There may be long-term cost savings associated with ending the DEI administrative apparatus in taxpayer-funded institutions of higher education, as some positions and programs will end. It could save up to $3.8 Million based on the 51 associated positions previously identified in Idaho’s Higher Education institutions.

SOP revised: 02/21/2025, 9:10 AM

Reported Printed; referred to State Affairs

Session
2025
Chamber
senate
Status date
Jan 31, 2025

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