HB 377 / SB 376

This bill ensures that Tennessee’s public and private four-year colleges and universities base admissions, financial aid, and hiring decisions solely on merit, not on race, color, ethnicity, or national origin. This bill aligns with President Trump’s agenda to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, ensuring that Tennessee institutions hire and admit the best and brightest without ideological or racial preferences.

This legislation prohibits affirmative action policies in higher education, preventing institutions from favoring or discriminating against individuals based on race or ethnicity in admissions, scholarships, and financial aid decisions. It also forbids the use of aggregated race and ethnicity data in the decision-making process, ensuring that students are evaluated purely on their academic and personal achievements.

To guarantee enforcement, the bill establishes a private cause of action, allowing individuals who face discrimination under prohibited policies to sue institutions and hold them accountable. If a violation occurs, the law provides for actual, compensatory, and punitive damages, with a minimum statutory award of $4,000 per violation.

By eliminating race-based preferences in higher education, this bill ensures fairness, equality, and a merit-based system that rewards achievement rather than identity. Tennessee must prioritize excellence and opportunity for all students, without race-based discrimination or political favoritism.