Education

signed · North Dakota · House Mar 31, 2025

HB 1497: 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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands preschool access by allowing enrollment for children turning four by December 1st (vs. August 1st) via developmental assessments, and sets quality standards for 'Best in Class' programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

signed · North Dakota · House Apr 25, 2025

HB 1247: AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 15.1-19 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to protection of a student victim of a sexual offense.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes legal protections for student victims in schools, enhancing safety measures within educational institutions.95% confidence

signed · North Dakota · House Jun 11, 2025

HB 1369: AN ACT to amend and reenact sections 15.1-27-04.1, 15.1-32-19, 15.1-36-02, 48-01.2-02.1, 48-01.2-10, and 57-15-14.2 of the North Dakota Century Code, and section 15.1-36-08 as amended by section 1 of Senate Bill No. 2149, as approved by the sixty-ninth legislative assembly, relating to the determination of state aid, boarding care costs, the coal development trust fund, the school construction assistance revolving loan fund, public improvement construction, bonds from contractors for public improvements, and school district levies; and to provide an effective date.

Relating to the determination of state aid, boarding care costs, the coal development trust fund, the school construction assistance revolving loan fund, public improvement construction, bonds from contractors for public improvements, and school district levies; and to provide an effective date.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill amends state aid determination and school construction loan funds, directly supporting education funding infrastructure per bill's focus on school district levies and construction assistance.85% confidence

died · North Dakota · House Jan 17, 2025

HB 1439: A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 15.1-19-09 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the suspension and expulsion of kindergarten through grade twelve students.

HB 1439 proposed changes to North Dakota's rules for suspending or expelling K-12 students. The bill required school districts to provide due process hearings before expelling students and set maximum suspension periods (10 days for regular students, 20 days for alternative program students) and expulsion limits (up to 12 months, ending before the school year concludes). It also mandated schools to consider factors like the infraction's severity, student age, and disciplinary history when determining suspension or expulsion duration. The bill was introduced in January 2025 but withdrawn before passage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates due process for expulsions and caps suspensions, protecting student access to education through fairer disciplinary practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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signed · North Dakota · Senate Apr 21, 2025

SB 2221: AN ACT to create and enact a new subsection to section 15-10-38.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to eligibility for the skilled workforce student loan repayment program; and to amend and reenact subsection 4 of section 15-10-38.2 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to eligibility for the skilled workforce scholarship program.

Relating to eligibility for the skilled workforce student loan repayment program; and to amend and reenact subsection 4 of section 15‑10‑38.2 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to eligibility for the skilled workforce scholarship program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAmends eligibility for student loan repayment and scholarship programs, expanding access to higher education funding and skilled workforce support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

failed · North Dakota · House Feb 13, 2025

HB 1536: A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the department of public instruction to implement a Native American history curriculum; and to provide for a legislative management report.

HB 1536 allocates $1.5 million to North Dakota's Department of Public Instruction to develop and implement a K-12 Native American history curriculum across all public schools. The funding is divided: $600,000 for curriculum development with tribal collaboration, $300,000 for teacher training, $500,000 for educational materials, and $100,000 for oversight. It requires a tribal advisory committee and mandates equitable resource distribution, especially for rural and underfunded schools. The bill also requires a 2026 progress report to the legislature on implementation and effectiveness.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.5M state funds for curriculum development, teacher training, and materials, increasing public education spending per budget appropriation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $1.5M for K-12 Native American curriculum development, teacher training, and materials with tribal collaboration and equity focus for underserved schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Teachers

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failed · North Dakota · House Feb 13, 2025

HB 1590: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new chapter to title 6 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a student education services account pilot program; and to provide an appropriation.

HB 1590 would create a pilot program allowing North Dakota parents to open student education services accounts for K-12 children. Parents could deposit up to $2,000 annually per child, with the Bank of North Dakota matching 50% of those deposits. Funds could cover authorized expenses like career courses, tutoring, mental health services, and approved educational materials, with unused funds rolling over yearly. The pilot, running 2025-2027 with $41.2 million in state funding, would close accounts if students leave the state or don't pursue higher education, requiring parent refunds for contributed amounts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $41.2M from state budget for education pilot program, directly funding new public services through legislative appropriation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates a funded pilot program ($41.2M) expanding educational access via parent-controlled accounts for K-12 services like tutoring and mental health, directly advancing funding and access.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMental health services explicitly listed as eligible expense for funds, directly advancing access to mental health care through education accounts.92% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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passed · North Dakota · Senate Feb 14, 2025

SB 2303: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new chapter to title 15.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to an education savings account program.

SB 2303 would create an education savings account program in North Dakota, using state funds to help eligible families pay for approved educational expenses. Eligible students include K-12 residents who qualify for public school, with funds deposited by the Bank of North Dakota (80% of per-pupil funding). Parents would receive these funds for approved expenses like tuition at participating private schools, approved tutoring, textbooks, college costs, or educational technology, but must agree not to enroll children in public schools. The program requires participating schools to meet safety and nondiscrimination standards, and unused funds carry forward annually.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates state-funded savings accounts for K-12 educational expenses, expanding access to private schools and approved learning resources using 80% of per-pupil funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education School Choice

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failed · North Dakota · House Feb 19, 2025

HB 1172: A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 3 of section 15-19-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the payment of fees for courses provided by the center for distance education.

HB 1172 would require a student's home school district to pay fees for distance education courses if the student's regular school doesn't offer the course during the semester or at a time that fits the student's preferred schedule. This directly affects students enrolled in distance education through North Dakota's Center for Distance Education and their home school districts. The bill specifies that districts must cover these fees instead of charging the student or their parent/guardian when course availability conflicts with the student's schedule. The policy change aims to reduce financial barriers for students seeking specific courses not available at their home school.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires school districts to cover distance education fees, removing financial barriers for students and expanding course access within K-12 education.95% confidence

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passed · North Dakota · House Feb 20, 2025

HCR 3023: A concurrent resolution affirming the 69th Legislative Assembly's commitment to ensuring state-funded essential services remain fully funded and operational regardless of changes in federal funding allocations.

HCR 3023 is a symbolic resolution (not a law) passed by the North Dakota legislature to affirm its commitment to maintaining essential state services like education, law enforcement, and public health regardless of federal funding changes. It urges state agencies to assess risks from federal funding shifts and seek solutions, while also calling for collaboration with tribal nations and advocacy with federal partners. The resolution does not create new funding or alter existing laws - it is a non-binding statement of legislative intent. It was introduced in January 2025, advanced through committee, but ultimately failed to pass on February 20, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly affirms commitment to maintaining state funding for education as an essential service, protecting it from federal funding changes.90% confidence

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