North Carolina SB 227: STATE BOAT

Bill Text

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025

SESSION LAW 2026-20
SENATE BILL 227

*S227-v-4*
AN ACT TO DEMONSTRATE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S INTENT THAT STUDENTS,
TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND OTHER SCHOOL EMPLOYEES RECOGNIZE
THE EQUALITY AND RIGHTS OF ALL PERSONS AND TO PROHIBIT PUBLIC
SCHOOL UNITS FROM PROMOTING CERTAIN CONCEPTS THAT ARE CONTRARY
TO THAT INTENT.

Whereas, President Trump issued an executive order on January 29, 2025, to protect
American students and ensure that K-12 recipients of federal funds comply with all applicable
laws prohibiting discrimination and protecting parental rights; and
Whereas, in the last fiscal year, North Carolina received $3.1 billion in federal funding
for K-12 education, demonstrating the importance of ensuring that public schools remain in
compliance with federal regulations to protect education funding; and
Whereas, the General Assembly is committed to ensuring all North Carolina public
school students receive a meaningful education based on academic excellence, critical thinking,
and the free exchange of ideas; and
Whereas, it is the State's role to protect the practice of education for public school
students and teachers; and
Whereas, so-called "DEI" programs promote a worldview that demands people,
especially young students, to judge others based on their race, sex, or other factors and attack
true diversity of thought, stifle opportunity, and stoke division; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1. G.S. 115C-12(9c) is amended by adding a new sub-subdivision to read:
"d. The Board shall not approve, provide, recommend, or require
professional development that is prohibited by
G.S. 115C-76.210(a)(4)."
SECTION 2. Article 7B of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by
adding the following new sections to read:
"§ 115C-76.200. Intent.
The General Assembly finds that Section 1 of Article I of the Constitution of this State
recognizes the equality and rights of all persons. Therefore, it is the intent of the General
Assembly that students, teachers, administrators, and other school employees respect the dignity
of others, acknowledge the right of others to express differing opinions, and foster and defend
intellectual honesty, freedom of inquiry and instruction, and freedom of speech and association
and that the public schools of this State employ teaching methods and procedures to further that
intent.
"§ 115C-76.205. Definitions.
For the purposes of this Part, the following definitions apply:
(1) Discriminatory practice. – Any of the following based on an individual's
protected classification under federal law:

Page 2 Session Law 2026-20 Senate Bill 227
a. Treating an individual differently solely to advantage or disadvantage
that individual as compared to other individuals or groups.
b. Excluding an individual from employment, except as allowed under
federal law.
c. Excluding an individual from participation in an educational program
or activity, except as allowed under federal law.
(2) Divisive concept. – Any of the following concepts:
a. One race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex.
b. An individual, solely by virtue of his or her race or sex, is inherently
racist, sexist, or oppressive.
c. An individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse
treatment solely or partly because of his or her race or sex.
d. An individual's moral character is necessarily determined by his or her
race or sex.
e. An individual, solely by virtue of his or her race or sex, bears
responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of
the same race or sex.
f. Any individual, solely by virtue of his or her race or sex, should feel
discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress.
g. A meritocracy is inherently racist or sexist.
h. The United States was created by members of a particular race or sex
for the purpose of oppressing members of another race or sex.
i. Particular character traits, values, moral or ethical codes, privileges, or
beliefs should be ascribed to a race or sex or to an individual because
of the individual's race or sex.
j. The rule of law does not exist but instead is a series of power
relationships and struggles among racial or other groups.
k. All Americans are not created equal and are not endowed by their
Creator with certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness.
l. Governments should deny to any person within the government's
jurisdiction the equal protection of the law.
(3) Instruction. – Includes content taught or presented to students by employees,
contractors, or individuals otherwise engaged by a public school unit.
(4) Professional development. – Includes seminars, workshops, and other
trainings delivered by employees, contractors, or individuals otherwise
engaged by a public school unit.
"§ 115C-76.210. Ensuring dignity and nondiscrimination in schools.
(a) Public school units shall not do any of the followin