MS HB1609

Prohibits Mississippi public and land-grant institutions of higher learning from expending any funds to establish, sustain, or staff diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices or to hire DEI officers, with exceptions for legally-mandated compliance offices and academic departments.

Bans mandatory diversity training at public institutions of higher learning, with exceptions for academic courses, registered student organization activities, and legally-required compliance training scripted by attorneys.

Prohibits requiring or soliciting diversity statements from applicants in admissions, employment, hiring, contract renewal, or promotion processes, and bars granting preferential consideration based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

Allows reallocation of FY2025 DEI office funds to merit scholarships for lower- and middle-income students and in-state tuition reduction; requires institutions to file compliance reports with the Department of Education.

Establishes civil causes of action for students, faculty, and alumni, and grants the Attorney General authority to file mandamus suits for violations; takes effect July 1, 2025.