In March of 2025, Governor Mike DeWine signed into law SB 1, a sweeping overhaul of the state’s higher education system that explicitly targeted DEI.

Applying to public colleges and universities, the law establishes broad protections against DEI in higher education, including medical education. 

It eliminates DEI offices, targets DEI practices and racially discriminatory criteria in admissions and hiring practices, as well as training programs.

Specific examples of restrictions on DEI practices include: faculty cannot promote admissions, hiring, or promotion based on a specific protected class; DEI trainings must be discontinued; and programs and scholarships must be open to all.

Do No Harm Action representative Kurt Miceli, MD, testified in the Ohio statehouse in support of the legislation.

Since taking effect, the legislation has had an immediate impact. 

For instance, the Ohio State University College of Medicine announced that it was shuttering its DEI office.