Bills would ban diversity requirements for universities, medical schools in Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY — Legislation filed by two Missouri Republicans seeks to drastically scale back the role of diversity, equity and inclusion standards for universities, medical schools and licensing boards.

A bill from Rep. Ben Baker, a Neosho Republican, would restrict the use of diversity (or DEI) materials and training for universities, medical schools and medical licensing boards, in addition to banning internal audits and hiring consultants for DEI purposes.

Another measure from Rep. Doug Richey, a Republican from Excelsior Springs, would prohibit universities from requiring "diversity, equity and inclusion statements" from potential employees, students or contractors during the hiring or promotion processes.

Both bills were weighed by a House committee Monday in a hearing that went into the night.

Curriculum, training and professional guidelines relating to diversity and equity have come under increased scrutiny by Republicans across the country as they push back on how race and identity are taught and communicated both in classrooms and professional settings. Other legislation filed by Missouri lawmakers has aimed to limit or eliminate discussions on race and racism, as well as gender and sexuality, within K-12 schools.

Bill bans requiring "diversity statements," endorsing "discriminatory ideology"

Richey's legislation takes aim specifically at "diversity, equity and inclusion statements" — in which a workplace requires an applicant to submit a written statement describing their commitment or opinion on the topic. Under his bill, asking for those statements would not be allowed, and universities would not be allowed to require "any applicant, employee, student or contractor to endorse such discriminatory ideology."

The bill defines "discriminatory ideology" as one that promotes differing treatment of individuals based on aspects of their identity like race and gender.

Richey argued the measure was necessary in order to "protect and preserve diversity of thought." He expressed concern that such required statements would ask some faculty and staff, including those who identify as conservative, to buy into a certain worldview.

"Somebody who rejects Marxism would not be able to sign onto a DEI statement with enthusiasm," Richey said, pointing to the "equity" portion of the concept. "Ideologically, they object to one of the primary foundational components."

The legislation was written with the assistance of The Cicero Institute, Richey said, a Texas-based conservative think tank that also helped author a 2022 Missouri law criminalizing homeless camping on public lands. Conservative opponents to diversity, equity and inclusion statements have likened them to "loyalty oaths" and "ideological litmus tests."

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Richey pointed to several Missouri job postings that he believed needlessly incorporated aspects of diversity and equity — including a librarian position at the University of Central Missouri and an associate professor role at Missouri State University. Some universities, like the University of Missouri System, have established separate departments and offices focused on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts that branch into student affairs and other divisions.

Ryan DeBoef, a lobbyist representing Missouri State, said the language in that job posting was flagged for president Clif Smart, was changed and "is not going on any more."

Under the proposed law, any university employee who violates the terms of the legislation would be placed on unpaid leave for an academic year, and would be unable to work at any other state institution during that time.

Democrats sharply criticized the bill, calling it "discriminatory" and a solution "in search of a problem."

"It will drive scholars out of our institutions as well as deplete our workforce," said Rep. LaKeySha Bosley, a St. Louis Democrat.

Rep. Stephanie Hein, a Springfield Democrat who previously served on the faculty at Missouri State, pushed back on arguments from Richey and other Republicans that diversity, equity and inclusion were "political" or ideological concepts.

"I taught 20 years and not once did I espouse my political beliefs in the classroom because that was not appropriate," Hein said. "That was not what I was there for. So, the idea that this ... automatically takes a political slant is a challenge for me."

Medical schools, licensing boards would be barred from several diversity requirements, could lose access to grants

Another bill sponsored by Baker bans health care-related professional licensing boards and medical schools from conducting internal audits or hiring consultants for diversity, equity and inclusion purposes. Licensing boards would be barred from requiring any training or using any materials related to DEI during the certification process.

The legislation also requires medical schools to publish syllabi, seminars and trainings online, and for them to submit annual certification with the state indicating that they do not "require applicants or students to subscribe to DEI ideologies." Medical school applicants would be required to take a standardized admissions test, with any proposed alterations from the school's subject to approval from the legislature.

Medical schools and public health care providers would also be banned from receiving state contracts or grants unless they certify annually that they do not require study or instruction on DEI materials.

"There seems to be a disturbing trend among medical institutions to throw out merit, which is what we've always agreed to be the standard," said Baker. "In many cases, it has been an exchange of merit for diversity, equity and inclusion programs."

His bill would open universities, medical schools and licensing boards who violate the language to lawsuits and penalties up to $100,000.

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The legislation also saw sharp criticism from Democrats and physicians, who expressed concern that it could limit education on crucial disparities among patients from varying backgrounds.

"My primary concern is what will happen if we have a workforce of physicians, nurses and public health and safety officials who don't know how to properly evaluate the safety of a pregnant patient or child if its evaluation requires an assessment of racial, socioeconomic information," said Dan Jackson, a St. Louis-based physician who works in maternal and fetal health.

A representative for the Missouri Academy of Family Physicians called the legislation set an "extremely dangerous precedent," and said it could result in "forcing medical programs to choose between funding and accreditation."

The House committee has not taken votes on either piece of legislation; if the bills are passed out of committee, they head to the full chamber for debate.

Galen Bacharier covers Missouri politics & government for the News-Leader. Contact him at gbacharier@news-leader.com or on Twitter @galenbacharier.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri bills ban diversity requirements in universities, med schools