To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit graduate medical schools from receiving Federal financial assistance if such schools adopt certain policies and requirements relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
This introduced bill would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to bar graduate medical schools at colleges and universities from receiving any federal funds or participating in federal student loan programs unless they sign certifications. These certifications would promise that the school does not require or promote certain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies or statements as prerequisites for benefits (such as admission, funding, or employment) and that the school will comply with major civil rights laws. The bill also requires accrediting agencies that oversee graduate medical education to certify they do not condition accreditation on adopting DEI-related policies. In short, if enacted, the measure would restrict DEI-related practices in graduate medical education as a condition of federal funding and accreditation, while preserving certain academic and legal protections (e.g., First Amendment rights, religious mission protections, and permissible data collection for informational purposes).
Key Points
- 1Prohibition on federal funds for graduate medical schools unless certifications are filed
- 2- Schools must certify they do not compel or direct faculty, staff, or students to adopt or recite DEI tenets as a condition of benefits or access.
- 3- Prohibits actions that deprive students of educational opportunities on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, or national origin.
- 4- Bars requiring or incentivizing diversity statements or creating/maintaining a DEI office as a condition of admission, employment, or funding.
- 5- Requires compliance with civil rights laws (e.g., Civil Rights Act titles IV and VI, Title IX, Rehabilitation Act, Age Discrimination Act) and related DOE regulations.
- 6Definitions and scope
- 7- Defines diversity, equity, and inclusion office and diversity statement to target DEI-related prerequisites and offices.
- 8- Applies to graduate medical education within institutions of higher education.
- 9Accrediting agency requirements
- 10- Accrediting agencies or associations must show they do not require a school to adopt DEI policies as a condition of accreditation if they evaluate graduate medical education quality.
- 11Rules of construction
- 12- Allows legitimate medical instruction about sex, race, or other characteristics, and permissible demographic data collection for informational purposes.
- 13- Protects religious institutions from being forced to act contrary to religious tenets.
- 14- Maintains First Amendment rights and general academic instruction, research, student organizations, guest speakers, and anti-discrimination compliance, except as restricted by Section 124.
- 15Severability
- 16- If any provision is struck down, the rest of the act remains in effect.