1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

I'm asking you to oppose HB742 (Baker), SB326 (Brown), HB1024 (Meirath), SB56 (Coleman), and SB272 (Black), which eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) standards in education, healthcare training, and state departments. These bills reduce learning, hurt patients, deplete the workforce, and contribute to negative health outcomes and health disparities. SB326 prohibits the requirement of DEI statements from state colleges and universities, calling such efforts "discriminatory ideology." HB1024 prohibits public schools and universities from using state funds for DEI initiatives and defunds them if they do. SB56 prohibits public and charter schools from requiring students, employees, and prospective employees to ascribe to, study, be instructed with, or answer questions relating to DEI and allows schools to be sued if the Attorney General decides any of their programs are DEI. HB742 prohibits state departments from funding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives or programs or from requiring or incentivizing private employers to do the same. SB272 Prohibits public entities from contracting with private employers unless they agree not to engage in any kind of economic boycott and also makes it illegal for private businesses to establish diversity, equity, and inclusion standards for doing business. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is not "discriminatory ideology" unless you are worried about being discriminated against for your bigotry. These bills are overwhelmingly opposed by students, universities, and healthcare workers in Missouri. If passed, they would drive our scholars out of their institutions as well as deplete the workforce. Former Governor Parson's deputy chief of staff, Robert Knodell, even acknowledged that the "Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging" program formed in 2020 in Missouri's Department of Social Services reduced Department-wide turnover rate by over half. Prior to the program, the Department had been plagued by high employee turnover. This groundbreaking program is now under threat from these bills.