LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A new state law in Kentucky is forcing colleges to change how they handle diversity programs.


What You Need To Know

  • A new state law in Kentucky is forcing colleges to change how they handle diversity programs

  • The University of Louisville is among the colleges holding meetings to address House Bill 4 refining language
  • Universities across Kentucky are required to comply with the law by June 30

The University of Louisville is one of several colleges convening to address the revised wording of House Bill 4.

During this year’s legislative session, Kentucky lawmakers overrode Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto to make House Bill 4 law.

The law prohibits Kentucky colleges and universities from providing differential treatment to an individual based on race, sex, religion or national origin in admissions, scholarships and hiring practices.

The University of Louisville Board of Trustees Ad hoc Committee voted to change their language to meet the requirements for HB 4.

Legal, Governance and External“Differences underserved has been added to underrepresented and then the same footnotes that you saw from the strategic plan document have been added for clarification. And I think, you know, the only feedback from the workgroup was just that we need to make sure the university is a large university,” said Angela Curry who is the Executive Vice President of Legal, Governance, and External Relations.

The law also bans universities from funding diversity, equity and inclusion offices, prohibits DEI training for students and staff and tightens the criteria for investigating bias incidents, among other things.

“House Bill 4 adds a requirement that any bias incident, any incident where someone feels like that they have had negative action taken against them because of their membership in a protected class. They have to be handled separately. The general counsel has to certify in writing that the investigation is necessary,” Curry said.

All this follows a national trend among Republicans, set in place by President Donald Trump.

“On his second day in office, the president signed a memorandum to immediately stop Biden-DEI hiring programs and return to non-discriminatory merit based hiring,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

The Board of Trustees committee said some of the approved items will now go to the UofL Board for approval.

Universities across Kentucky are required to comply with the law by June 30.