State Senate Approves Bathroom Bill That Would Fine Schools for Noncompliance

State Rep. Bill Tveit, R-Hazen.  (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

(By: Mary Steurer.  North Dakota Monitor) – The North Dakota Senate voted to pass a bill that prevents K-12 public schools from having all-gender bathrooms.

House Bill 1144 also allows schools to be investigated by the North Attorney General’s Office and fined up to $2,500 by courts for non-compliance.

Lawmakers previously enacted gender-related bathroom restrictions for public schools in 2023. That law prevents transgender students from using bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender.

Supporters of House Bill 1144 say the 2023 law didn’t go far enough.

Sponsor Rep. Bill Tveit, R-Hazen, expressed concerns schools won’t observe the policy without a formal enforcement mechanism.