HB 1144 amends North Dakota law to require public school students to use restrooms and facilities corresponding to their sex assigned at birth, directly affecting transgender students in public schools. The bill mandates schools to enforce this policy, with penalties for noncompliance including potential loss of state funding. It declares an emergency to expedite the law's implementation. The legislation replaces existing accommodations for transgender students with a policy based on biological sex. This change alters school restroom access policies for transgender youth without providing alternative accommodations.
Relating to an education savings account program for students who are not enrolled in public school or a homeschool program; to provide an appropriation; and to provide an effective date.
HB 1247 proposes to create a new section within the North Dakota Century Code's chapter on school districts. This bill aims to establish specific protections for students who are victims of a sexual offense. It directly affects student victims and requires school districts to implement the new provisions designed to safeguard these students.
Relating to the powers and duties of center boards and the authority of a school board to pay a first-year signing bonus for teachers; and to declare an emergency.
HB 1098 amends North Dakota's scholarship program for students pursuing teaching careers by updating the terms under Section 15.1-21-02.10 of the North Dakota Century Code. The bill revises eligibility requirements and funding details for undergraduate students training to become teachers. It directly affects North Dakota residents enrolled in teaching-focused degree programs. The bill also declares an emergency to expedite its implementation.
HB 1220 would establish a new "North Dakota accelerated degree" program for high-demand occupations within the state's education code. This program would allow students to earn credentials more quickly in fields with significant workforce needs, directly benefiting students seeking faster entry into these careers. The key mechanism is creating a new section in North Dakota's Century Code (Chapter 15-10) to formally authorize and structure these accelerated pathways. The bill focuses on concrete policy changes to streamline education-to-employment for specific high-demand occupations.
HB 1200 amends North Dakota's high school graduation requirements to require one unit of computer science or cybersecurity (subdivision h) for all students, effective after July 31, 2025. It allows schools to grant credit for up to one unit of coursework under "emergent circumstances" (e.g., natural disasters disrupting normal education) by substituting alternative courses like dual-credit or electives. This applies to students in North Dakota public and nonpublic high schools who demonstrate such emergencies. The bill also updates existing GED credit provisions but focuses primarily on creating flexibility for emergency disruptions to graduation requirements.
HB 1238 amends North Dakota's teaching license rules to require teachers with lifetime licenses to report certain information to the Education Standards Board every five years. Specifically, it mandates that these teachers submit a report disclosing any criminal violations since their last report or any issues that could lead to license revocation. The report must be provided in a board-prescribed format but cannot cost the teacher anything. This change directly affects North Dakota teachers who have held a teaching license for 30 years and received lifetime licensure.
HB 1164 revises North Dakota's definition of "Student with a disability" in special education law to clarify which students qualify for services. The bill explicitly lists 11 specific disability categories, including autism, deafness, learning disabilities, and traumatic brain injury, that now qualify for special education support. This change directly affects students aged 3-21 in North Dakota public schools who require specialized instruction due to these conditions. The bill was signed into law by Governor on March 21, 2025, and filed with the Secretary of State.
HB 1529 adds Peace Corps volunteers to North Dakota's list of individuals eligible for resident tuition rates at state universities. Specifically, it amends the state code to include "an individual certified by the director of the Peace Corps as having served satisfactorily as a Peace Corps volunteer" under the definition of a "resident student." This change directly affects Peace Corps volunteers who wish to attend North Dakota colleges or universities at in-state tuition rates. The bill does not alter existing eligibility categories for veterans, military members, or other groups.
