COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A new bill would ban DEI programs in Ohio schools, with some Republican state senators saying diversity, equity and inclusion leads to indoctrination.

Senate Bill 113 would ban DEI in K-12 public schools and community schools. Sponsored by Sen. Andrew Brenner (R-Delaware), the bill had its first hearing on Tuesday in the Senate Education Committee. In the first committee hearing, Brenner said DEI programs oppose Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision, and said DEI is modern discrimination.

“Doctor King dreamed of a society in which individuals are judged by the content of
their character, not the color of their skin,” Brenner said. “However, DEI-driven policies in K-12
education reject this fundamental principle by enforcing race-based preferences in
curriculum, hiring and student discipline.”

Under S.B. 113, school districts would have 90 days to implement a policy banning any orientation, training, departments or offices pertaining to DEI. Districts would also be barred from using DEI in any job descriptions or contracting with any consultants who may encourage admissions, hiring or promotions based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or gender expression.

School districts would have to get rid of any existing DEI offices or programs, and districts would not be allowed to create any new ones. Districts would also be barred from creating new offices under different names that have the same function.

Finally, school districts would have to create a process where students, parents or employees can submit complaints about any possible violations of the new district policy. Boards of education would investigate any complaints and conduct an impartial hearing about the possible violation.

According to district websites, eight of central Ohio’s 17 primary public school districts currently have at least one employee whose position would be banned under S.B. 113.

S.B. 113 does not define diversity, equity, inclusion, training or orientation, leaving some aspects of the legislation up for interpretation. The bill is titled “Prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion in public schools,” although it does not ban or create any course requirements where DEI may be discussed, focusing instead on offices and staff.

Training mentioning diversity, equity or inclusion would be banned, but Ohio students are required to study at least one hour of “social inclusion” instruction annually for all students sixth through 12th grade. This was required by the Safe Schools program, but Senate Republican spokesperson John Fortney said this type of inclusion is “apples and oranges” compared to the inclusion mentioned in S.B. 113.

“The Safe Schools Program works toward including students who might otherwise isolate themselves from the student body,” Fortney said. “That is a distinct difference between today’s divisive and discriminatory DEI programs that have been found to be unconstitutional and trying to engage kids with behavior strategies to improve the social environment for the safety and greater good of the student body.”

Christina Collins, executive director of Honesty for Ohio Education, said S.B. 113 furthers the “false premise” that equity initiatives create discrimination. With so much going on at the federal level regarding DEI, she said S.B. 113 will confuse people further.

“Instead of creating confusion and fear, our lawmakers should be reaffirming our commitment to serving all students, ensuring that each child receives the support they need to thrive,” Collins said. “When we put it all on the table, it is clear that SB 113, and similar legislation, serves to advance a political agenda to delegitimize and destabilize public education.”

The legislation comes amid nationwide calls for removing DEI from schools, including President Donald Trump’s executive orders and the Department of Education threatening to pull funding from any schools that have DEI programs. The deadline for this funding passed March 1, although no central Ohio public districts said they were making changes. See previous coverage of the Department of Education’s decision in the video player above.