Relating to offering school breakfast and lunch at no cost and the school meals fund; to provide an appropriation; to provide for a transfer; and to provide an effective date.
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 the establishment of the immigration law clinic at the university of North Dakota school of law; to provide for a report; and to provide an appropriation.
Relating to the definition of a public library, required safety policies and technology protection measures, and the state's attorney's review of public libraries, school districts, and state agencies for compliance with statutes protecting minors from explicit sexual material; to amend and reenact subsection 5 of section 12.1‑27.1‑01, subsection 2 of section 12.1‑27.1‑03.1, and sections 12.1‑27.1‑03.5 and 12.1‑27.1‑11 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to obscenity control; to provide for a report to the legislative management; and to provide a penalty.
SB 2234 appropriates $2 million from North Dakota's general fund for competitive grants to school districts to help high school students meet the state's "choice ready" framework. The bill requires school districts to apply with specific plans showing how grant funds will develop students' skills for postsecondary education, careers, or military service - directly affecting school districts and their high school students. Funds cannot cover general supplies or equipment but must support targeted experiences like career training or college preparation. The grants are intended for the 2025-2027 biennium and align with the state's goal of ensuring all students graduate prepared for life after high school.
HB 1527 would require all North Dakota public school districts to include Holocaust education in their U.S. history curriculum. The bill mandates that this education cover specific topics like the causes of the Holocaust, history of antisemitism, resistance efforts, U.S. involvement, and connections between intolerance and historical events. School districts must implement grade-appropriate lessons meeting these requirements, and the state superintendent must submit an annual report to the governor and legislature on compliance. This bill directly affects K-12 schools and students across North Dakota, aiming to ensure consistent educational content about the Holocaust. The bill failed to pass in April 2025, with 22 votes in favor and 24 against.
HB 1510 creates new sections in North Dakota's state law requiring public school districts to provide financial planning resources for new teachers during their first year. It also mandates that school districts establish onsite child care options for teachers with children attending those schools. The bill includes a separate provision directing the legislature to conduct a management study on administrative practices. These changes directly affect new teachers and school districts across North Dakota.
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 1381 revises North Dakota's school funding formula to determine state aid for public school districts. It establishes a baseline funding amount using 2017-18 revenue data (including property taxes, tuition, mineral revenue, and other specific income sources) and calculates per-student funding based on this baseline. Starting in the 2023-24 school year, the bill requires a 40% reduction in excess funding for districts exceeding the baseline, with annual reduction increases of 15% until the baseline per student matches the state's fixed payment rate. This affects all North Dakota public school districts by changing how their state aid is calculated and potentially reducing funding for those with higher historical revenue.
HB 1178 requires North Dakota school districts to create policies allowing students who are qualified voters (18+ and registered) to leave campus during school hours to vote in elections. The policy must include conditions like time limits for absence or designated voting periods. This law directly affects high school students eligible to vote, enabling them to participate in elections without missing class. The bill became effective after being signed by the Governor on March 14, 2025. It establishes a concrete requirement for school districts to facilitate student voting access.
