MONTGOMERY, Ala. (NEWSnet/AP) — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has signed legislation that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion programs at public schools, universities and state agencies.

The measure, which takes effect Oct. 1, is part of a wave of proposals from Republican lawmakers across the country limiting diversity, equity and inclusion programs, also known as DEI, on college campuses.

For example, Alabama’s law prohibits the teaching of “divisive concepts” including that someone should feel guilty because of their race or gender.

Republicans say DEI programs deepen divisions and promote a particular political viewpoint.

“My administration has and will continue to value Alabama’s rich diversity, however, I refuse to allow a few bad actors on college campuses – or wherever else for that matter – to go under the acronym of DEI, using taxpayer funds, to push their liberal political movement counter to what the majority of Alabamians believe,” Ivey said in a statement.

But opponents say it is a rollback of hard-won advances and programs that welcome underrepresented student populations.

The Alabama legislation would prohibit universities, K-12 school systems and state agencies from sponsoring DEI programs, defined under the bill as classes, training, programs and events where attendance is based on a person’s race, sex, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin or sexual orientation.

The bill also says schools, universities and state agencies cannot require students, employees and contractors to attend classes and training sessions “that advocates for or requires assent” that “any individual should accept, acknowledge, affirm, or assent to a sense of guilt, complicity, or a need to apologize on the basis of his or her race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin,” or that fault, blame or bias should be assigned to people based on race, religion, gender or national origin.

The bill also would attempt to prohibit transgender people on college campuses from using multiple occupancy restrooms that correspond with their current gender identity.

The legislation says colleges and universities “shall ensure that every multiple occupancy restroom be designated for use by individuals based” on the sex that a person was assigned at birth. It is unclear how the bathroom requirement would be enforced.

Also Wednesday, an Alabama House committee advanced legislation that would ban teacher-led discussions in public schools on sexual orientation and gender identity, along with a prohibition on displaying Pride flags in classrooms. That measure now moves to the full House.

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