The West Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill proposed by Gov. Patrick Morrisey that would ban diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in state government and academia. The bill, SB 474, aims to eliminate DEI initiatives from West Virginia’s executive branch, schools, and higher education institutions. It prohibits the establishment of DEI offices, preferential treatment based on DEI, and mandates DEI training. The bill also prohibits the teaching that one race or sex is superior to another and protects employees from being forced to use a student’s preferred pronoun. Proponents of the bill, such as State Sen. Patricia Rucker, argue that DEI programs hinder marginalized communities from progressing. However, opponents, including State Sen. Joey Garcia, believe that DEI is beneficial and attracts businesses to the state. The bill combines past efforts by the Republican legislative majority to restrict certain concepts in education related to race and gender identity, as well as critical race theory. The goal of the bill, based on an executive order signed by Gov. Morrisey, is to ensure equal treatment for all individuals under the law. The bill has sparked a debate between supporters who view DEI programs as necessary for equality and opponents who argue that they perpetuate inequality.
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