The proposed bill seeks to amend the Code of West Virginia by eliminating all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, trainings, and offices across the executive branch, primary and secondary schools, and institutions of higher education. It introduces the "Equal Treatment By Executive Branch Act of 2025," which mandates equal treatment in recruitment, hiring, promotion, and training, while explicitly prohibiting DEI initiatives. Additionally, the bill establishes the "Equal Treatment in Primary and Secondary Education Act of 2025," which restricts educational institutions from teaching concepts that imply superiority based on race or sex and outlines provisions regarding the use of preferred gender pronouns.

Moreover, the legislation emphasizes the importance of neutrality in educational institutions regarding contested opinions on DEI, prohibits discrimination based on race or ethnicity, and protects free speech rights. It requires annual compliance reporting from state institutions and mandates that unspent DEI funds be redirected towards merit scholarships or used to reduce tuition for resident students. The bill reinforces a commitment to colorblind and sex-neutral hiring and admissions processes, stating that no diversity statements will be required in public institutions' hiring or admissions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5-33-1, 5-33-2, 5-33-3, 18B-1G-1, 18B-1G-2, 18B-1G-3, 18B-1G-4, 18B-1G-5, 18-2-9b, 18-5-29, 18B-14-5, 18B-14-6