House panel advances amended SB 289 limiting some DEI practices; debate produces lengthy testimony from educators, students and advocacy groups

The Indiana House Judiciary Committee on April 7 passed Senate Bill 289, an anti–diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) measure, after adopting a set of amendments intended to narrow the bill’s scope. The committee vote was 7-3.

The measure grew from Senate language that sponsors described as intended to ensure equal treatment by public entities. Senator Chris Byrne and other supporters said the committee amendment (Amendment 11) focuses the bill on government actions and clarifies that agencies and institutions should not treat people differently based on a list of "personal characteristics," cross-referencing the Civil Rights Act and recent U.S. Supreme Court guidance. Supporters said the change makes existing executive orders and guidance more durable.

Opponents — a broad mix of university faculty, medical students, civil-rights organizations, education advocates and local nonprofits — warned the measure could chill classroom instruction, academic programming and campus support services. Dozens of witnesses spoke over two hours, including medical students, university professors and representatives of Indianapolis-area youth and civil-rights groups.

Key provisions and changes - Amendment 11 (adopted 9-3 on a roll call to the amendment) narrowed the bill’s original language, focusing…