SB 246: Arkansas Prohibits DEI in Public Schools
Summary
SB 246 was passed in March 2025. It prohibits employees, teachers, or contractors (state agents) of a state postsecondary education institution from compelling employees, teachers, contractors, or students to affirm that an individual should be treated adversely on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, color, or national origin or "bear collective guilt" for actions committed by other members with those same traits. SB 246 prohibits state agents from requiring a student to affirm a political, philosphical, religious, or other ideological viewpoint. The bill prohibits state postsecondary education institutions from collecting and reporting information for DEI purposes, from requiring DEI for accreditation, and from considering race, ethnicity, sex, color, or national origin in hiring or propotion. If such institutions fail to follow SB 246, they could lose state funding.
