Senate passes bill limiting DEI offices and requiring schools to post related materials after hours of debate

The Indiana Senate passed Senate Bill 289 on a contested floor vote, 34 to 13, after more than three hours of debate on whether the measure protects merit and free speech or undermines efforts to address historic disparities.

Senator Byrne brought the bill to the floor in third reading, describing it as a measure to ensure "government should treat all citizens equally." The bill’s text prohibits agencies that receive state funding from promoting several listed concepts the sponsor described as the core of what he called an ideological "DEI" movement, and requires public schools to make curriculum or staff training materials on nondiscrimination, equity, diversity, inclusion or bias available online.

Supporters said the bill prevents state-funded offices from requiring employees or students to affirm ideological statements. "Government should treat everyone equally," Senator Byrne said during his presentation. He and other supporters said the law protects employees and students from being compelled…