Ohio bill to ban mandatory DEI, support intellectual diversity stalls in House

An Ohio bill that would outlaw mandatory diversity, equity and inclusion trainings and require intellectual diversity in higher education is in limbo after state House Speaker Jason Stephens spoke out against it.

Stephens, a Republican, said last week that he will not push for a vote on Senate Bill 83 because too few House lawmakers support it, The Columbus Dispatch reports.

“I think there are a lot of concerns with that bill from both sides of the aisle, frankly,” Stephens said. “Understanding what’s being attempted, but sometimes that language can go either direction. I think it’s important that we look at that before it’s passed.”

His comment came ahead of a House Higher Education Committee hearing Nov. 29. There, lawmakers listened to testimony from supporters and opponents but did not take action on the bill.