HB 1160 North Dakota House · 69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26)

AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 15.1-07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the use of personal electronic devices during instructional time.

House Bill 1160 proposes to create a new section within the North Dakota Century Code. This legislation focuses on establishing rules and regulations for the use of personal electronic devices during instructional time in schools. It directly affects students and educators by setting standards for device use, such as cell phones, within the classroom environment. The specific details of these new regulations are not provided in the bill's title or abstract.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Jan 7, 2025 Signed Apr 29, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

FIRST ENGROSSMENT → Enrollment · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was substantially rewritten from a general cellular telephone policy to a broader prohibition on personal electronic devices during instructional time. The new version expands the definition of prohibited devices beyond just cell phones to include tablets, smartwatches, and gaming devices, while also clarifying what constitutes instructional time and providing more detailed requirements for school policies.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from specifically regulating cellular telephones to prohibiting all personal electronic communication devices during instructional time, with additional clarity on what devices and activities are covered.

DEFINITION

Device definition expanded from 'cellular telephone' to 'personal electronic communication device' including tablets, smartwatches, and gaming devices, while excluding medical devices and school-approved devices.

New definition for 'instructional time' clarifies it includes recess, lunch periods, and time between classes, while excluding virtual environments and travel time.

REQUIREMENT

School policy requirements changed from allowing boards discretion to mandate that all devices be silenced, turned off, and securely locked away during instructional time.

ENFORCEMENT

New requirement for school districts to collect annual data on policy impact including student behavior, mental health, disciplinary incidents, attendance, and academic performance.

TIMELINE

Added specific deadline of July 1, 2026 for establishing a uniform reporting system for policy data.

TECHNICAL

Changed the referenced chapter from 15.1-06 to 15.1-07 of the North Dakota Century Code.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 7, 2025 · House Apr 17, 2025

How they voted

42–4

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 47

Apr 7, 2025

D Democratic5

4 Yea 1 Nay

80% Yea

R Republican42

38 Yea 3 Nay 1

90% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 30, 2025

Introduced

Filed with Secretary Of State 04/25

legislature

Apr 29, 2025

Signed into law

Signed by Governor 04/25

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Second reading, passed, yeas 82 nays 8

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Concurred

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 42 nays 4

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amendment adopted, placed on calendar

upper

Apr 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 5 1 0

upper

Mar 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee Hearing 10:00

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Introduced

Introduced, first reading, referred Education Committee

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Second reading, passed, yeas 89 nays 3

lower

Jan 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amendment adopted, placed on calendar

lower

Jan 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 13 1 0

lower

Jan 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee Hearing 10:30

lower

Jan 7, 2025

Introduced

Introduced, first reading, referred Education Committee

lower

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors