On May 19, 2025, the Louisiana House of Representatives passed H.B. 685, a bill that would prohibit state agencies and public higher education institutions from making any efforts to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives. On June 9, the National Institute for Workers’ Rights sent a letter to Louisiana Senate President Cameron Henry warning that the bill would increase the state’s liability risk by preventing essential compliance measures like broad-based recruiting, employee resource groups, anti-discrimination training programs, workplace climate assessments, and pay equity audits. The bill broadly defines unlawful diversity, equity, and inclusion as “any effort to promote or implement policies, procedures, or trainings designed in reference to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation.”
Economic Dignity