A bill for an act prohibiting certain requirements for students and faculty at regents institutions relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical race theory and including applicability provisions.

SF 282 prohibits Iowa's regents institutions (public universities) from requiring students to take courses or faculty to participate in activities related to diversity, equity, inclusion, or critical race theory as part of any degree program. It bans forcing students to enroll in such courses for general education, majors, or certificates, and prevents institutions from tying faculty evaluations, promotions, or pay to including related content in courses. Exemptions are allowed only for programs explicitly titled as focusing on racial, ethnic, or gender studies, but students cannot be forced to take these programs to meet other degree requirements. The law takes effect for the 2026-2027 academic year.