Alabama Governor Signs Law Banning State Funding of DEI at Public Schools, Universities

Flags fly at half-staff at the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery, Ala., on July 26, 2020. Lynsey Weatherspoon/Getty Images

A new Alabama law that bans state agencies, local boards of education, and institutions of higher education from sponsoring so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs or offices, was signed into law on Wednesday by Gov. Kay Ivey.

Alabama’s Republican-led Legislature voted on Tuesday to advance legislation SB 129, which was authored by Republican state Sen. Will Barfoot. The law will become effective Oct. 1, 2024.