Senate Bill 1 (SB1), sponsored by State Senator Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland), bans DEI courses, training, and required statements; spending on DEI initiatives or programs with the same intent; and political and ideological litmus tests in all hiring, promotion, and admissions decisions at Ohio’s state colleges and universities.
“We want every student in Ohio, regardless of race, gender, or religion, to be able to pursue their choice of post-secondary education,” said Senator Cirino. “However, DEI programs are inherently discriminatory and cannot be tolerated or paid for by taxpayers”.
The bill was passed into law on March 28, 2025.
(From left to right): Representative Josh Williams; Senator Jerry Cirino; Governor DeWine; Representative Tom Young; Speaker Matt Huffman; and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel. Credit: Office of the Governor Mike DeWine.