Florida bill bans local governments' DEI policies

A Florida Senate committee has approved a bill that stops local governments from creating policies on “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI). The Republican-led Community Affairs Committee voted 5-3 in favor of the proposal on Monday. Senator Clay Yarborough from Jacksonville sponsors the bill, known as SB 420. Yarborough argues that the focus should be on essential services, such as maintaining roads, parks, and public safety. He believes local governments should prioritize these efforts over DEI policies. The bill would also allow individuals to take legal action if the new rules are broken. The proposal is one of many DEI-related measures being discussed in the legislature this week. It could impact employment policies and other local government operations. Senator Shevrin Jones, a Democrat from Miami Gardens, criticized the bill, calling it “authoritarianism.” He believes it will not help improve life for Floridians. If the bill proceeds, it must pass two more committees before reaching the Senate floor. A similar bill, HB 1571, has been introduced in the House by Representative Dean Black but has not yet been reviewed.