Diversity, equity and inclusion may no longer be part of the curriculum at Alabama schools and universities, according to the law.
The legislation is one in a series of Republican measures against what is called a societal shift to the left.
The new law, signed by the state’s governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday, requires teachers to stop teaching about “divisive concepts like race and identity.”
Alabama’s conservative right believes that courses on, for example, diversity lead to increased division and favor liberal political interests.
The new law also states that Alabama’s schools and universities must ensure that students use restrooms that match their physical sex—not their gender identity.
The law comes into effect on 1 October and also applies to government agencies.
On Wednesday, a committee in the state also presented a bill to ban teacher-led discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in municipal schools. The proposal also includes a ban on rainbow flags in classrooms.
According to critics, the measures mean that Alabama – already one of the most conservative states in the US – is moving backwards instead of forwards.