The Kentucky Education Equality Protection Act (KEEP Act) under Senate Bill 165 was introduced on Feb. 13, 2025. It is sponsored by 11 of Kentucky’s senators. 

The KEEP Act, if enacted, will prohibit schools from giving benefits to students based on their race, religion, sex, color or national origin. It will end diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts in hiring teachers and administrators. School districts may not use any funds to have a DEI office or keep a contract with an employee for DEI reasons. No Kentucky school employees can participate in DEI training, in or out of the state. Schools cannot purchase or distribute any content or materials that promote or justify “discriminatory concepts” or DEI initiatives.

“This legislation threatens to reverse the progress our students have made as well as the jobs of JCPS staff who work hard every day to help our students make positive gains in academics and life skills,” said JCPS in a statement. 

This bill is now in the hands of the Senate education committee and will continue to be debated over the next few weeks. Stay tuned for updates.