CONCORD, N.H. (AP) _ Preferential treatment or discrimination in recruiting, hiring, promotion or admission by New Hampshire agencies, colleges or universities is prohibited under a new law taking effect Sunday.

 

Supporters argued that affirmative action policies hurt the people they try to help by putting less-qualified people in jobs they cannot do, thus setting them up to fail.

They argued it is better for a student to graduate from a lower-tier college than to flunk out at a higher-tier college. They also argued well-qualified people may be stigmatized because they are members of a preferred group.

Opponents said the current practice was not harming anyone.

The University System of New Hampshire said the law will have no effect on its hiring and promotion practices.