House Committee Expands Senate Curbs on Diversity in Higher Education Absence of bill Sponsor

Senate Bill 6: A Turnaround

Frankfort, KY – Senate Bill 6, originally aimed at eliminating what were termed “discriminatory concepts” at public universities of Kentucky, underwent a complete overhaul during a specially called committee meeting on March 14. The meeting was announced only 24 hours in advance, and in the absence of the Senate sponsor, a substitute for the bill was presented by Rep. Jennifer Decker.

The substitute for Senate Bill 6, presented by Rep. Decker, a Republican from Waddy, goes much further than the original version, effectively eliminating all diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and offices at public universities within Kentucky. These wide-reaching changes led to 13 Republicans voting for the overhauled bill, while three Democrats voted against it. Two Republican representatives passed their votes.

Where Was Senator Wilson?

Usually, the main sponsor of a bill presents it to the House committee. However, the Senate sponsor for this bill, Senator Mike Wilson, was conspicuous by his absence from the meeting. His absence sparked concerns among some committee members, with one Republican representative expressing his apprehensions after having a discussion with Senator Wilson earlier in the day.

Although the meeting was scheduled in conflict with another meeting attended by Senator Wilson, his opinion on this updated version of the bill has yet to be brought to light. Some speculations suggest a lack of knowledge or agreement on his part regarding the changes made to his bill.

More Than Just Changes: A Complete Overhaul

The substitute presented in the committee is an overhauled version of Senate Bill 6 and includes clauses from House Bill 9, prohibiting universities and colleges from supporting DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs or officers from their resources. This is a drastic departure from the original bill, which until now, has not received a committee hearing.

The updated 32-page committee substitute directs public universities to provide “high quality academic instruction in an environment that is inclusive and welcoming to all” and prohibits the universities from providing any differential treatment or benefits to individuals based on protected classes such as their religion, race, sex, color, or national origin.

The Criticism and Support

The amendments to the bill saw support from conservative think tanks such as the Heritage Foundation and Manhattan Institute. However, opposition came from many quarters, including the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education and the Louisville Urban League, who expressed concerns that the bill could potentially reverse progress made in the commonwealth.

The legislation follows a trend observed nationwide, with conservatives leading the rollback on DEI measures, especially in higher education. The movement has gained momentum after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision to end affirmative action in higher education.

What Happens Next

As amended, the Senate Bill 6 would require university governing boards to adopt “viewpoint neutrality” policies prohibiting “discrimination based on an individual’s political or social viewpoint”. The approved policies must be made publicly available online and in student handbooks by June 30.

While the fate of the bill hangs in balance, the influence it has over the academic and social landscape of Kentucky’s educational institutions remains a widely debated topic.