Missouri legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Missouri SB1192: Prohibits higher education accrediting agencies from considering diversity, equity, and inclusion practices
Status: In committee, March 24, 2026
SB 1192 - This act prohibits agencies that accredit public institutions of higher education from considering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices or procedures, as defined in the act, when making accreditation decisions. Accrediting agencies are also prohibited from collecting information related to DEI or including any DEI-related requirements in their accreditation decisions. Additionally, accrediting agencies shall implement policies ensuring that decision-makers involved in accreditation do not receive or consider information regarding DEI practices or procedures. Current or former students or employees of a public institution of higher education may bring a civil action against an accrediting agency for violations of this act. If the court finds that the accrediting agency violated the act, the agency shall pay the prevailing party's reasonable attorney's fees, court costs, damages in an amount specified in the act, and civil penalties of up to $1,000 per student who attended the institution at the time when the violation occurred or, if no students attended the institution at the time when the violation occurred, up to $1,000 per student who attended the institution in the immediately preceding semester. Violations of this act are classified as unlawful discriminatory practices under Missouri human rights law and unfair practices under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act. The Attorney General is authorized to investigate and seek appropriate legal remedies for any violations to the full extent permitted by law. OLIVIA SHANNON
What the bill says
To amend chapter 173, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion practices at higher education accrediting agencies, with penalty provisions. Section A. Chapter 173, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 173.1570, to read as follows: 173.1570. 1. As used in this section, the following terms mean: (1) "Accreditation", the status of public recognition that an accrediting agency grants to an educational institution, program, or both that meets the agency's standards and requirements; (2) "Accrediting agency", a person.
From the introduced text:
To amend chapter 173, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion practices at higher education accrediting agencies, with penalty provisions. Section A. Chapter 173, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 173.1570, to read as follows: 173.1570. 1. As used in this section, the following terms mean: (1) "Accreditation", the status of public recognition that an accrediting agency grants to an educational institution, program, or both that meets the agency's standards and requirements; (2) "Accrediting agency", a person or governmental entity that conducts accrediting activities and makes decisions concerning the accreditation or pre-accreditation status of institutions, programs, or both. The term includes any national, regional, or programmatic accrediting agency; (3) "Diversity, equity, and inclusion", any differential treatment of, or assignment of any fault or blame to, an individual or group at an institution of higher education based on race; color; ethnicity; national origin, other than as it relates to immigration status under United SB 1192 States law; sex, other than as it relates to sex-segregated facilities, such as dormitories and bathrooms, or to athletic programs; sexual orientation; or gender identity; (4) "Diversity, equity, and inclusion practice or procedure", any initiative, policy, program, mandate, requirement, standard, metric, statistic, or other practice or procedure related to diversity, equity, and …