HB 1497 North Dakota House · 69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26)

AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 50-11.1-21 and section 50-11.1-23 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to age requirements for an approved four-year old program; and eligibility for the best in class program.

HB 1497 amends North Dakota law to adjust age requirements for four-year-old early childhood programs and update eligibility for the "Best in Class" program. It allows school districts to enroll children who turn four by December 1st (instead of August 1st) based on developmental assessments, directly affecting preschool programs and families of young children. To qualify for "Best in Class" designation, programs must meet specific standards including 400+ hours over 32 weeks, 10+ hours of family engagement, and quality benchmarks. The law affects school districts, early childhood providers, and families seeking program access or state-funded recognition.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Mar 2025

Introduced Jan 20, 2025 Signed Mar 28, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SECOND ENGROSSMENT → Enrollment · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates North Dakota's early childhood education laws to establish clearer age requirements for four-year-old programs and create a new 'best in class' program eligibility framework. The changes standardize program approval processes, introduce a $50 application fee, and set specific operational standards for high-quality early childhood programs that may receive state funding.

Scope change

The bill expands eligibility criteria for state funding by establishing a new 'best in class' program category with specific requirements for family engagement, program duration, and quality standards.

REQUIREMENT

Added a $50 nonrefundable application fee for four-year-old program approvals to fund investigation and inspection costs.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified age requirements to allow enrollment of children who turn four before December 1st if school districts determine it's developmentally appropriate.

Created new 'best in class' program eligibility criteria including minimum 400 hours over 32 weeks, 10 hours of family engagement, and quality system certification requirements.

FISCAL

Added authority for the department to distribute funds to approved 'best in class' program applicants.

TECHNICAL

Removed emergency declaration provision that was present in the previous version.

Floor votes · House Mar 19, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 31, 2025

Introduced

Filed with Secretary Of State 03/27

legislature

Mar 28, 2025

Signed into law

Signed by Governor 03/26

lower

Mar 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Second reading, passed, yeas 79 nays 14

lower

Mar 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Concurred

lower

Mar 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 28 nays 19

upper

Mar 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amendment adopted, placed on calendar

upper

Mar 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 4 1 1

upper

Mar 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee Hearing 11:00

upper

Feb 24, 2025

Introduced

Introduced, first reading, (emergency), referred Education Committee

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

Second reading, passed, yeas 74 nays 13, Emergency clause carried

lower

Feb 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amendment adopted, placed on calendar

lower

Feb 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 11 2 1

lower

Feb 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee Hearing 02:30

lower

Feb 12, 2025

Committee

Rereferred to Education

lower

Feb 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amendment adopted, placed on calendar

lower

Feb 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 8 4 2

lower

Jan 29, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee Hearing 03:00

lower

Jan 20, 2025

Introduced

Introduced, first reading, referred Education Committee

lower

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors