Bill > ACA7

This Constitutional Amendment would generally prohibit the state from discriminating against or giving preferential treatment to individuals or groups based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment and education. However, it creates an exception allowing state and local agencies, with the Governor's approval, to use state funds to support programs that are "research-based" (meaning they have undergone rigorous testing with positive results) or "research-informed" (meaning they use the best available evidence and disaggregated data, which is data broken down into specific subgroups to identify disparities) and "culturally specific" (meaning they incorporate the history and traditions of particular groups). These programs can be funded if they aim to improve life expectancy, educational outcomes, or reduce poverty for specific groups based on race, ethnicity, national origin, or marginalized genders, sexes, or sexual orientations, provided they eliminate legal barriers to equality and do not use harmful discriminatory practices. This exception has limitations, excluding public contracting and higher education admissions, and requiring the Governor to approve or reject applications with a public explanation for any denial.