Gov. Josh Stein vetoed a slew of anti-Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) bills and a gender bill on Thursday but signed a licensure agreement bill and one that protects parents and caregivers from legal consequences for raising children in alignment with their biological sex.

Among the bills he vetoed was SB 558, Eliminating “DEI” in Public Higher Ed. The legislation prohibits UNC System schools and community colleges from promoting discriminatory policies and practices.

Under the measure, public colleges and universities would be required to eliminate offices and staff dedicated to DEI initiatives. The bill prohibits promoting “divisive concepts,” such as the idea of systemic racism or moral culpability based on race or gender. Institutions would be barred from requiring faculty, staff, or students to affirm any DEI-based beliefs. Additionally, SB 558 would eliminate processes for reporting incidents described as “offensive or unwanted speech.”

SB 227, Eliminating “DEI” in Public Education, aims to remove DEI offices, staff, and divisive concepts from K-12 public schools, ensuring education focuses on core curriculum without promoting ideologies deemed inconsistent with equality.

The legislation outlines 12 divisive concepts, such as the belief that one race or sex is inherently superior to another, the idea that meritocracy is inherently racist or sexist, and the belief that the US was founded to oppress certain groups.

One of its key sponsors, Republican Sen. Michael Lee of New Hanover County addressed examples of DEI-related trainings in K-12 schools on the House floor that he said perpetuated divisions and deepened societal issues. These sessions, he noted, included teachings on “whiteness as property” and “interest convergence,” a concept suggesting racial justice is only supported by white individuals when it benefits their interests.

HB 171, Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI, proposes a ban on the promotion, funding, and implementation of DEI programs within state agencies, including in hiring practices, training programs, and the establishment of DEI offices.

Finally, HB 805, Prevent Sexual Exploitation/Women and Minors, is a multi-faceted piece of legislation aimed at affirming biological definitions of sex, curbing the sexual exploitation of women and minors online, expanding parental rights in education, and restricting the use of state funds for sex-transition procedures.  

The proposed legislation comes in response to President Trump’s Executive Order 14168, titled “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” This affirms that the United States recognizes only two sexes — male and female.

Stein, a Democrat, commented on the vetoes of all of the bills with the following statement: “At a time when teachers, law enforcement, and state employees need pay raises and people need shorter lines at the DMV, the legislature failed to pass a budget and, instead, wants to distract us by stoking culture wars that further divide us,” he said in a press release. “These mean-spirited bills would marginalize vulnerable people and also undermine the quality of public services and public education. Therefore, I am vetoing them. I stand ready to work with the legislature when it gets serious about protecting people and addressing North Carolinians’ pressing concerns.” 

House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, responded to Stein’s veto of HB 805.

“I’m disappointed that the governor has vetoed this bill (HB 805), ‘Prevent Sexual Exploitation/Women and Minors,’” he said in a press release. “By rejecting this bill, he has sided with radical activists over the overwhelming majority of North Carolinians who believe in parental rights, biological reality, and protecting women and children.”

Stein did, however, sign eight bills into law, including SB 442, Parents Protection Act. The measure, which passed the NC Senate in a largely party-line vote in May and passed through the House Health Committee on June 17, stipulates that parents or caretakers are not guilty of a misdemeanor or felony child-abuse charge for raising a child consistent with his or her biological sex, including related mental health or medical decisions. The bill would also maintain safeguards against acts that cause serious physical or mental harm, such as inflicting serious injury or creating a substantial risk of harm.

He also signed HB 763, Neighbor State License Recognition Act, which allows individuals licensed in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia to apply for equivalent occupational licenses in North Carolina without having to start the process from scratch.

The law applies to a wide range of professions regulated by state licensing boards, but excludes certain fields, including healthcare providers, architects, engineers, lawyers, CPAs, veterinarians, and licensed financial professionals. Those industries will continue to operate under their own licensing standards and reciprocity agreements.

SB 600, Improve Health and Human Services, was also signed into law. It allows resident taxpayers to enroll in the organ and tissue donation program via their income tax return, among other items.

“This bill enables people to sign up to be organ donors while doing tax returns and keeps patients safe from toxic chemicals,” Stein commented. “It also helps schools recruit and retain school nurses and gives schools more tools to quickly treat children with severe allergies.” 

The following bills were also signed into law: