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North CarolinaSB 5582025-2026 SessionSenate

AN ACT TO DEMONSTRATE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S INTENT THAT STUDENTS, PROFESSORS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND OTHER EMPLOYEES OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION RECOGNIZE THE EQUALITY AND RIGHTS OF ALL PERSONS AND TO PROHIBIT PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION FROM PROMOTING CERTAIN CONCEPTS THAT ARE CONTRARY TO THAT INTENT.

Sponsored By: Phil Berger (Republican), Kevin Corbin (Republican), Brad Overcash (Republican)

Became Law

BOARDSCOLLEGES & UNIVERSITIESCOMMUNITY COLLEGESCOMMUNITY COLLEGES BOARDDISCRIMINATIONEDUCATIONHIGHER EDUCATIONMINORITIESPRESENTEDPUBLICRATIFIEDUNCUNC BOARD OF GOVERNORSVETOEDWOMENCHAPTEREDVETO OVERRIDDEN

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Limits on diversity offices and beliefs

Public colleges and community colleges cannot promote or require belief in listed “divisive concepts.” They cannot keep offices or staff whose duties push those concepts, including units often called “diversity, equity, and inclusion.” Schools cannot require a course tied to those concepts to get a degree, unless a chancellor requires it for a specific program and reports it. Discussion and research are allowed if the school states it does not endorse the concepts, and First Amendment speech stays protected. This takes effect June 24, 2026.

No campus reporting of protected speech

UNC campuses and community colleges cannot run processes to report or investigate speech that the First Amendment protects. This includes satire and speech some call microaggressions. The change takes effect June 24, 2026.

Statewide diversity rules and yearly reports

The UNC Board of Governors and the State Board of Community Colleges must set diversity policies that match the law. Each campus must certify by September 1 each year that it complies. Boards must send a combined report by January 15 to lawmakers. The 2026 certification must list layoffs and spending cuts, job title or duty changes, and how any savings were used. These rules take effect June 24, 2026.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Phil Berger

    Republican • Senate

  • Kevin Corbin

    Republican • Senate

  • Brad Overcash

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • W. Ted Alexander

    Republican • Senate

  • Buck Newton

    Republican • Senate

  • Lisa S. Barnes

    Republican • Senate

  • Bob Brinson

    Republican • Senate

  • David W. Craven, Jr.

    Republican • Senate

  • Warren Daniel

    Republican • Senate

  • Carl Ford

    Republican • Senate

  • Amy S. Galey

    Republican • Senate

  • Bobby Hanig

    Republican • Senate

  • Ralph Hise

    Republican • Senate

  • Mark Hollo

    Republican • Senate

  • Brent Jackson

    Republican • Senate

  • Todd Johnson

    Republican • Senate

  • Dana Jones

    Republican • Senate

  • Michael A. Lazzara

    Republican • Senate

  • Michael V. Lee

    Republican • Senate

  • Timothy D. Moffitt

    Republican • Senate

  • Bill Rabon

    Republican • Senate

  • Norman W. Sanderson

    Republican • Senate

  • Eddie D. Settle

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 320 • No: 214

House vote • 6/24/2026

SB 558: Eliminating "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)" in Public Higher Educ

Yes: 71 • No: 47 • Other: 1

House vote • 6/24/2026

SB 558: Eliminating "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)" in Public Higher Educ

Yes: 71 • No: 47 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 7/29/2025

SB 558: Eliminating "DEI" in Public Higher Ed.

Yes: 30 • No: 19 • Other: 1

House vote • 6/25/2025

SB 558: Eliminating "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)" in Public Higher Educ

Yes: 64 • No: 47 • Other: 6

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

SB 558: Eliminating "DEI" in Public Higher Ed.

Yes: 28 • No: 18 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

SB 558: Eliminating "DEI" in Public Higher Ed.

Yes: 28 • No: 18 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

SB 558: Eliminating "DEI" in Public Higher Ed.

Yes: 28 • No: 18 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Ch. SL 2026-21

    6/24/2026Senate

  2. Veto Overridden

    6/24/2026House

  3. Placed On Cal For 04/21/2026

    4/6/2026House

  4. Withdrawn From Cal

    4/6/2026House

  5. Placed On Cal For 04/06/2026

    3/9/2026House

  6. Withdrawn From Cal

    3/9/2026House

  7. Placed On Cal For 03/09/2026

    2/9/2026House

  8. Withdrawn From Cal

    2/9/2026House

  9. Placed On Cal For 02/09/2026

    1/12/2026House

  10. Withdrawn From Cal

    1/12/2026House

  11. Placed On Cal For 01/12/2026

    12/15/2025House

  12. Withdrawn From Cal

    12/15/2025House

  13. Placed On Cal For 12/15/2025

    11/17/2025House

  14. Withdrawn From Cal

    11/17/2025House

  15. Placed On Cal For 11/17/2025

    10/22/2025House

  16. Withdrawn From Cal

    10/22/2025House

  17. Placed On Cal For 10/21/2025

    10/20/2025House

  18. Withdrawn From Cal

    10/20/2025House

  19. Placed On Cal For 10/20/2025

    9/25/2025House

  20. Withdrawn From Com

    9/25/2025House

  21. Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

    9/22/2025House

  22. Withdrawn From Cal

    9/22/2025House

  23. Placed On Cal For 09/22/2025

    8/26/2025House

  24. Withdrawn From Cal

    8/26/2025House

  25. Placed On Cal For 08/26/2025

    7/30/2025House

Bill Text

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