In 2023, the North Dakota state legislature added a scientific technology requirement of a high-definition ultrasound video showing the development of a baby in the uterus for every week of pregnancy until birth in middle school health classes.
Concern has arisen because the education-related state law does not authorize the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) to collect information regarding compliance.
On Monday, January 21, 2025, I provided testimony on your behalf regarding SB 2104, which mandates school districts follow education-related state law. You can view my testimony here starting at 10:24:25.
SB 2104 does two important things:
- It allows NDDPI to gather information or investigate a school’s compliance with educational laws or rules, such as the requirement to show a high-definition video in eighth-grade health classes.
- If the school district fails to comply with educational law, remedial steps must be completed. Non-compliance more than once jeopardizes a school’s financial support from the state and could result in a deduction of two percent of total state payments to the school district.
We expect SB 2104 to be voted on in the Senate Education Committee as early as the end of this week.
Take Action:
- Ask those on the committee to vote a “Do Pass” on SB 2104.
Write your own message or use the example of a simple email message below.
Subject Line: Vote “Do Pass on SB 2104 – requiring schools to comply with state law.
Dear Senator ________,
Vote to ensure educational laws are followed. Please vote “Do Pass” on SB 2104.
Sincerely,
Your Name, Town
Senate Education Committee:
Chairman Sen. Todd Beard (R-District 23) at tbeard@ndlegis.gov (no phone number listed)
Vice Chairman Sen. Randy Lemm (R-District 20) at rlemm@ndlegis.gov or 701-430-1536
Sen. Michelle Axtman (R-District 7) at maxtman@ndlegis.gov or 719-351-0654
Sen. Josh Boschee (D-District 44) at jboschee@ndlegis.gov or 701-367-3513
Sen. Justin Gerhardt (R-District 34) at jgerhardt@ndlegis.gov or 701-527-6262
Sen. Mike Wobbema (R-District 24) at mwobbema@ndlegis.gov or 701-595-1579
- Please forward this email to family and friends! Every email message and every phone call are counted!
Please Pray: Pray for the Senators by name. May God give them wisdom and confidence to vote in support of ensuring school districts adhere to education-related state laws or rules.