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A bill restricting public universities and government agencies from sponsoring diversity, equity and inclusion programs and designating bathrooms according to gender at birth was signed into law in Alabama on Tuesday. The law is the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion law, but is commonly referred to as the "Anti-DEI Law."Diversity, equity and inclusion are referred to as DEI throughout the remainder of this article.“My administration has and will continue to value Alabama’s rich diversity, however, I refuse to allow a few bad actors on college campuses �� or wherever else for that matter �� to go under the acronym of DEI, using taxpayer funds, to push their liberal political movement counter to what the majority of Alabamians believe,�� Gov. Kay Ivey said in a statement.>> �������� 13 ON-THE-GO: Download our app for freeWhat does this mean for universities, and why did lawmakers write this? �������� 13 dug into the law to give you all the information you need to know.What are the main points of the law? The law uses the term "divisive concepts," which is explained below to contain several ideals about DEI.State agencies, including public universities universities, can't sponsor any DEI programs or compel people to agree to or share a divisive concept. Students and staff can hold DEI programs, but no state money can be used.Public institution bathrooms must be designated "on the basis of biological sex." (Alabama law defines this as what is "stated on the individual's original birth certificate.")Conditional enrollment "solely on the basis of race or color" is not allowed. Universities are still allowed to "engage in recruiting and outreach programs" without This law does not stop any teaching that needs to be done in order to get credits or stop "the teaching of topics or historical events in a historically accurate context."CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL LAW. What is a 'divisive concept?'The following items are all involved in the term of a "divisive concept," according to the new law.These are the concepts that institutions, students and staff are not allowed to promote, endorse or affirm:"That any race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin is inherently superior or inferior. "That individuals should be discriminated against or adversely treated because of their race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. "That the moral character of an individual is determined by his or her race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. "That, by virtue of an individual's race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin, the individual is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or subconsciously. "That individuals, by virtue of race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin, are inherently responsible for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin."That fault, blame, or bias should be assigned to members of a race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin."That any individual should accept, acknowledge, affirm, or assent to a sense of guilt, complicity, or a need to apologize on the basis of his or her race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin."That meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist." >> FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube The EffectsThe law states that this is not able to be enforced in order to violate a person's First Amendment rights or to undermine academic freedom or freedom of expression.This law will effectively bar transgender students at public universities from using public bathrooms that align with their gender identities.School boards and universities will not be able to have staff or an office specifically hired to promote DEI.The law also empowers state agencies, which includes boards of education and public universities, to “discipline or terminate the employment of any employee or contractor who knowingly violates this act.”The law goes into effect on Oct. 1.The measure is part of a wave of proposals from Republican lawmakers across the country taking aim at diversity, equity and inclusion programs on college campuses.Republicans say the programs deepen divisions and promote a particular political viewpoint. But opponents say it is a rollback of hard-won advances and programs that welcome underrepresented student populations. >> THE LATEST: Headlines and weather from �������� 13ResponsesGov. Kay Ivey“My administration has and will continue to value Alabama’s rich diversity, however, I refuse to allow a few bad actors on college campuses �� or wherever else for that matter �� to go under the acronym of DEI, using taxpayer funds, to push their liberal political movement counter to what the majority of Alabamians believe,�� Ivey said in a statement.UA System"The University of Alabama System and its institutions �� The University of Alabama, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, The University of Alabama in Huntsville and the UAB Health System �� remain dedicated to our mission of providing exceptional educational, research and patient care experiences to all people, of all backgrounds, in welcoming and supportive environments that foster open thought, academic freedom and free expression," the UA System said in a statement. "Before the legislation goes into effect October 2024, we will determine what actions are needed to ensure we can continue to fulfill our multifaceted missions and equip all campus community members for success at our universities and beyond in compliance with applicable law."ACLU Alabama"We oppose Senate Bill 129. This bill is intended to have a chilling effect on discourse regarding race, class, sexuality, and national origin, and seeks to characterize these discussions and accurate teachings, assignments, and trainings that also supplement them as 'divisive,' the organization wrote in a statement on its website. "SB129 disrupts the work of student, staff, and faculty organizations at higher education institutions that rely on public funding from their university to develop DEI or culturally based programming. This is not only a form of classroom censorship, it’s an anti-truth bill which curtails an education on systemic inequities, racial violence, and the historic efforts to gain civil rights and civil liberties for marginalized communities throughout our nation’s history. The First Amendment protects the right to share ideas, including the right of listeners to receive information and knowledge. We must protect this right, including educators and students�� rights to talk and learn about race and gender in schools."Birmingham Mayor Randall WoodfinLast month, Birmingham Mayor Randal Woodfin posted on Facebook that he would encourage Black athletes to enroll outside of the state if the law were to be passed. With college sports being a large part of the culture, it was a strong statement.“Would you be cool with your child playing at schools where diversity among staff is actively being discouraged?�� Woodfin said in the post. “Although I’m the biggest Bama fan, I have no problem organizing Black parents and athletes to attend other institutions outside of the state where diversity and inclusion are prioritized. If supporting inclusion becomes illegal in this state, (expletive), you might as well stand in front of the school door like Governor Wallace."Woodfin has not released a statement since the signing of the law.>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Alabamians split over proposed senate bill to prohibit DEI programs in higher educationThis is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay updated on the latest stories with the �������� 13 app. You can download it here.This article contains information from The Associated Press.