HB 622: Tennessee Prohibits All Public Entities From Taking Into Account DEI in Hiring Decisions
Summary
HB 622 (Dismantle DEI in Employment Act) was enacted in May 2025 and restricts Tennessee state and local government entities, including public schools and universities, from using demographic characteristics such as race, ethnicity, sex, or age in employment decisions, requiring such decisions to be based solely on merit, qualifications, veteran status, or lawful eligibility. The bill voids prior educator diversity policies and prohibits the State Board of Education from adopting new ones based on demographic metrics. A narrow exemption exists for county governments that would lose federal funding due to compliance, subject to annual review by the Comptroller.
Impacted Sectors
Additional Information
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