MS HB1416

Prohibits Mississippi public universities and colleges from funding DEI offices, DEI officer positions, or mandatory diversity training for students, employees, or applicants using any source of funds.

Bans diversity statements in admissions, employment applications, hiring, contract renewals, and promotion processes, and prohibits preferential consideration based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

Requires all hiring and admissions decisions be made on merit basis without preferential consideration based on protected characteristics, with exceptions only for bona fide sex-based qualifications necessary for normal university operations.

Reallocates funds previously spent on DEI programs to merit-based scholarships for lower- and middle-income students and in-state tuition reduction at the discretion of governing boards.

Establishes enforcement mechanisms allowing the Attorney General to file suit and permitting students, faculty, and alumni to bring civil actions for injunctive relief against universities in violation of the act; requires annual compliance reporting by universities to governing boards.