Education, Higher - As enacted, prohibits institutions of higher education from excluding a person from benefits, activities, and employment, or making decisions, based on a person's race, color, ethnicity, or national origin; requires such institutions to provide notice of such prohibitions; authorizes injunctive and declaratory relief for violations. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 7.

HB 377 prohibits Tennessee colleges and universities from making decisions about admissions, scholarships, financial aid, or employment based on race, color, ethnicity, or national origin. It bans institutions from using applicant or student race/ethnicity data in decisions (including aggregated data), requires them to notify people of these prohibitions, and mandates that such data not be shared with decision-makers before evaluations. The bill establishes private lawsuits for violations, allowing victims to seek $4,000 in statutory damages plus actual or punitive damages, along with injunctive relief. It directly affects all Tennessee public and private four-year higher education institutions (excluding those governed by the Board of Regents).