While it will face longs against approval, State Rep. Kem Smith (District 68) has filed House Bill 2192, known as the DEI Protection Act, “to defend the right of every Missourian to learn, work, and serve in environments that recognize and respect who they are.
“Diversity is Missouri’s strength, and inclusion is a promise we need to make to the citizens,” said Rep. Smith. “The DEI Protection Act is about safeguarding fairness, ensuring opportunity, and rejecting the political erasure of marginalized voices. We cannot allow Missouri to move backward.”
The bill affirms the rights of public institutions, including K-12 schools, public colleges and universities, and state agencies, to continue engaging in DEI-related work without fear of funding cuts, forced closures, or political retaliation.
“This legislation protects programs that protect people,” Smith said. “When we erase DEI, we erase the tools that help us dismantle bias, increase access, and build trust.”