Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Research and Resources: Louisiana

In April 2024, State Sen. Alan Seabaugh, a Republican, introduced a bill that would ban public colleges, or private colleges that receive state funding, from giving preferential treatment to individuals based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, or sex. The bill would also prohibit colleges from promoting ideas such as implicit bias, or concepts that make people feel guilty for actions taken by others. The measure would require each college to include the aforementioned prohibitions in its code of conduct and disciplinary standards. Under the bill, students, parents, faculty members, or employees could report violations, and colleges must provide a means for doing so on their websites. Those who have been harmed by a violation of the bill would also have cause to take civil action.

In April 2023, State Sen. Jay Morris, a Republican, introduced a bill that would prohibit public colleges from using information about a prospective student's race, sex, or origin during the admissions process and from giving "preferential treatment" in awarding scholarships, grants, or financial aid based on the same criteria, unless the donor of the aid requires it. Legislators failed to vote the bill out of committee before the legislative session adjourned, in June.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry issued an executive order Tuesday prohibiting the teaching of critical race theory in Louisiana K-12 public schools. (Allison Allsop/Louisiana Illuminator)