AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 44-04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to designating student applications for admission to an institution of higher education as exempt records; and to declare an emergency.
HB 1542 designates student applications for admission to institutions of higher education as exempt records. This means that personal information submitted by students as part of their application process will not be subject to public disclosure laws. The bill aims to protect the privacy of applicants to North Dakota colleges and universities. It also includes an emergency declaration, indicating an immediate need for the change.
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 20, 2025
Signed Apr 24, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
INTRODUCED
→
Enrollment
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill was converted from a House Bill introduction to an enrolled law, changing the status of student admission applications from 'confidential' to 'exempt records' under North Dakota law. This change clarifies that these records must be destroyed upon request rather than just kept confidential, and updates the legislative text to reflect final passage and governor approval.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on student admission applications to higher education institutions, but the legal status of these records changed from confidential to exempt records with specific destruction requirements.
REQUIREMENT
Changed record status from 'confidential' to 'exempt records' under the North Dakota Century Code, which affects how long records must be retained and who can access them.
Added specific destruction timeline requiring records to be destroyed upon applicant request, with retention subject to section 15-10-44 requirements.
TECHNICAL
Updated document format from bill introduction to enrolled legislation, including signatures from legislative officers and governor approval sections.
Floor votes · Senate Apr 11, 2025 · House Feb 21, 2025
How they voted
46–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 47
Apr 11, 2025
D
Democratic5
100% Yea
R
Republican42
97% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
19
Key actions
10
Committee
4
Apr 25, 2025
Introduced
Filed with Secretary Of State 04/23
legislature
Apr 24, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor 04/23
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Second reading, passed, yeas 89 nays 0, Emergency clause carried
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Concurred
lower
Apr 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 46 nays 0
upper
Apr 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amendment adopted, placed on calendar
upper
Apr 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 6 0 0
upper
Mar 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Hearing 11:00
upper
Mar 7, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, first reading, (emergency), referred Education Committee
upper
Feb 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Second reading, passed, yeas 87 nays 2, Emergency clause carried
lower
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported back, do pass, place on calendar 13 1 0
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee Hearing 02:30
lower
Jan 20, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, first reading, (emergency), referred Education Committee
lower
1 primary · 8 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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