What is SB17

What is SB17?

Senate Bill 17 prohibits all state funded colleges and universities from establishing or maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion office and bans hiring or the assignment of an employee to perform the duties of a DEI office (SB17).

When SB17 go into effect? January 1, 2024

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Why was this bill passed?

“The purpose of this subchapter is to prohibit institutions of higher education from requiring or giving preferential consideration for certain ideological oaths or statements that undermine academic freedom and open inquiry and impede the discovery, preservation, and transmission of knowledge. (SB17)”

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How is this impact society?

This means that any state funded college or university cannot allow organizations that promote diversity such as black student associations, latinx student association, or Asian student associations, for example. Student resources centers like LGBTQIA+ organizations are no longer available due to this bill going into effect. Colleges are now forced to rebrand organizations and change the structure of programs that help students be successful. This means that workers who previously assumed roles within DEI, now have to find new positions or change responsibilities that align with the new bill.

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By: Jasmine Davis

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References:

https://houstonlanding.org/texas-anti-dei-law-is-wreaking-havoc-before-it-takes-effect-next-year-heres-what-to-know/#:~:text=What%20does%20SB%2017%20say,duties%20of%20a%20DEI%20office.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/analysis/html/SB00017H.htm#:~:text=17%20prohibits%20public%20institutions%20of,also%20prohibits%20requiring%20related%20training.

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