[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6284858,"mediaKeyId","2576603-d34c51240589a6f3b24105e2de75753d","parentId",2576603,"title","Bill to clarify school referrals to juvenile court advances after advocates and educators back changes","audioSeconds",655,"startMs",9480000,"endMs",10135000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576603-d34c51240589a6f3b24105e2de75753d&start=9480&end=10135","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576603-d34c51240589a6f3b24105e2de75753d/thumbnail_9480000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6284858/North-Dakota/Bill-to-clarify-school-referrals-to-juvenile-court-advances-after-advocates-and-educators-back-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284858-1d5aa99a27f1f57bc65d54174e9b3884/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122053&Signature=j6RtGczHAhOsHwPE70~363p~Rbd8XA4RUjywxIREDgaqD9Fz7GXYeIsR0X2hIZ5Xfpr5A8c31b86T4h0XJ4Yrj4znHF2YOyVLc2WPy9eybJ6b34BY0TvyXHjSsCfgvq~0vV~fMJaWHMC~LnpfHLLdmqZ4Omf2SC32SYzuqX~E8jYsXkL5uLc3zuqdq9FL2O7m8WbuLcaJaFa77oQ9LuMPgF80zE1mxyZjXzP8X~BHegq8CkBkBA3N9RtwmQc1IJc-B~QdkfAUBReYtivIZ5kRiw2AwpodCaBUApSGACoHFB2XP~IQMS3Xyg7FcdgUvkpYW07RZ35VuuJT73yT9gg9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-03-12T00:00:00Z","article","House Bill 1328 would modify rules about when schools may refer delinquency or law‑violating incidents to juvenile court, clarifying that schools should exhaust internal disciplinary measures first but may involve law enforcement more quickly in higher‑grade or serious incidents. The bill also was presented alongside a $750,000 appropriation to support regional education agencies (REA) to work with schools and students in need of behavioral interventions.

Representative Heiner (sponsor) said the proposal grew from juvenile justice reform work in prior sessions; the sponsor and other stakeholders revisited the statute language with members of the juvenile justice task force and with school leaders to clarify procedures after prior changes reduced some options for schools. Heiner said the changes seek to move cases through appropriate channels faster while increasing resources for schools to address students’ needs.

Amy Copas, executive director of the North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders, testified in favor and said the bill restores flexibility schools need to call law enforcement when appropriate while retaining the expectation that schools use disciplinary policies and interventions first. “We need to utilize all of our policies and everything in our tool belt. But now we can call the we can call law enforcement when it's appropriate,” Copas said.

Veronica Zietz of the Protection and Advocacy Project (P&A) testified that P&A supports the bill’s directive that schools exhaust disciplinary actions before juvenile court referral and said P&A also appreciated House amendments that addressed parental custody concerns. Zietz said the changes should limit justice involvement for students with disabilities who may have disability‑related behaviors and that the bill includes safeguards P&A supports.

Committee members discussed the balance between school flexibility and potential increases in referrals; senators said they would monitor how the policy plays out in practice. Senator Boushey moved a due‑pass motion for House Bill 1328, seconded by Senator Axman; the committee approved the motion 5‑0‑1. Senator Wabam volunteered to carry the bill.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Education Wednesday, Mar 12, 2025 8:54 AM - 11:48 AM","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 1328 would adjust juvenile referral rules to permit schools to involve law enforcement after exhausting school disciplinary avenues and includes protections and funding for regional education agencies; the Senate Education Committee gave the bill a due‑pass recommendation.","taxTitle","Education, Senate, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28902,"location","North Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6284862,"Committee backs bill requiring schools to offer voluntary Pledge of Allegiance each morning",1384,7666000,9050000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576603-d34c51240589a6f3b24105e2de75753d&start=7666&end=9050","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576603-d34c51240589a6f3b24105e2de75753d/thumbnail_7666000.jpg","/articles/6284862/North-Dakota/Committee-backs-bill-requiring-schools-to-offer-voluntary-Pledge-of-Allegiance-each-morning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284862-d8bfe6440b6595bde97362e43e99f9fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122053&Signature=Hji7-czcFjm~I1MGLYiYJLvosXYU2VDDtb8xdOFe6iiByncYUoCrmzudDhAfEKnx2B25Ffbx8drgBn8bVbM0Pj6WonwcPLQdLevDzul9~PFnmthIRv-UYggVKSldAniZPxDI-sYLWGJxWIe-zmJRPCdnLs7QtlSLvHKah9Kpg5aiC7-02PkV0l03SrF61l0SgyEq0lw1hJOMWTRZImOqcXtRfp1uArkOAkTyXeW2ZvUP71HOt0ncZ6xtbvSclsGZd01LEbhaT3vQOKfLvRTZzRhoV7cmjt7mbHAYHBa4F1k26p7K6Pa0EwguvFhju1TQD~rGcDZIuQPIla3B-yLq1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 1222 would require local school boards to adopt a policy giving public school students the opportunity to voluntarily recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of each school day. The bill would not compel participation and contains an immunity provision tied to recitation.

Representative Anna Novak, sponsor, told the committee the bill responds to variations across the state in whether schools open with a pledge and that the measure is intended to encourage reverence for the flag and patriotism without forcing students to participate. “Students are not required to participate,” Novak said. She said the bill is designed to be administratively simple; local boards can decide delivery (for example, an office announcement over the intercom) and there are no penalties in the statute for not instituting the pledge.

The bill drew supportive testimony from veterans and veterans’ organizations. Jim Nelson, legislative director of the North Dakota Veterans Legislative Council, described the pledge’s meaning to veterans and read a historical, interpretive version of the pledge during testimony. Mamie Havelka, commander of the North Dakota American Legion, said she would like to see the pledge restored in every school and noted some classrooms lack flags.

Students in the hearing room also addressed the committee. Alyssa Christiansen and Sabrina Haas, seniors from Napoleon Public School, said their school recites the pledge each morning and urged the committee to support the measure so students statewide would hear the pledge regularly.

Senators debated briefly before voting. Senator Gearhart moved a due‑pass motion for House Bill 1222; the motion passed on a roll call of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. Senator Gearhart agreed to carry the bill.

Committee members said they supported restoring the pledge as an option while noting the statute would not force participation and that schools already have discretion to adopt local policies. The committee placed the bill on its calendar with a favorable recommendation.","The Senate Education Committee voted to give House Bill 1222 a favorable recommendation after hearing testimony from the bill sponsor, veterans groups, American Legion leadership and students urging reinstating a voluntary morning pledge in public schools.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6284866,"Higher‑ed officials back bill to require NC‑SARA membership for out‑of‑state distance providers",3253,3972000,7225000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576603-d34c51240589a6f3b24105e2de75753d&start=3972&end=7225","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576603-d34c51240589a6f3b24105e2de75753d/thumbnail_3972000.jpg","/articles/6284866/North-Dakota/Highered-officials-back-bill-to-require-NCSARA-membership-for-outofstate-distance-providers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284866-93991016986c20bcceaf42d2400f9033/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122053&Signature=LcofR6LfqGFOaZ0Xqofq5S-179rgvEUBmE6gBUnTFHcjTKUxk8k2W3T7vHxsvmAsiJC2xKPE4mS2TJg7tZgTGUxJmcYN-eVF8ibJCt9o6qleLEv7jV33IcGA3241-KxDDO4iyJ-N7IzjvAbIaU319goK0RN2UeA8Q4LOiSuwo-8vQEPWQVOZdfRpil7xBoyBMdSjtw31A5IGbxbtcXjo8Okt8hlvrac7UOROzVxzN0rlbr40ekSa3wyTaBj7rilJjJhKNsqMEsx5DtSG1SCyRaMbvwi7HXdhz2uZQv29d-s3cxVcYNTknTHHLkcomhSmTAyB-h85WXq1A1U7ux3JYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 1064 would amend Chapter 15‑18.1 of the North Dakota Century Code to strengthen state authorization and standards for postsecondary institutions that offer distance education to North Dakota residents. Proponents told the Senate Education Committee the changes aim to protect students from institutions with weak financial footing or poor consumer protections and to reduce duplicative workload for the North Dakota University System (NDUS) office.

Lisa Johnson, vice chancellor for academic and student affairs for the North Dakota University System, introduced the background for the draft. Johnson said the federal requirement that states authorize out‑of‑state distance providers was first raised about 2010, and North Dakota’s current code language has not been updated for the increasing number of out‑of‑state online providers. Johnson and Claire Gunwall, NDUS director of academic affairs, said the State Board of Higher Education supports the bill language and an amendment the board will offer.

Key elements described by NDUS staff include clearer statutory definitions for distance education and credentials, requiring accreditation by U.S. Department of Education–recognized agencies, and using nationally accepted measures of financial responsibility (the federal composite financial score) to assess parent‑company financial stability. Gunwall told the committee the bill would require postsecondary institutions offering distance education to North Dakota students to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC‑SARA) unless the State Board grants a narrow exemption.

Gunwall and Johnson said engaging an objective, third‑party vetting mechanism such as NC‑SARA would reduce NDUS staff time spent on individualized state authorization reviews (they reported current workload of roughly 2 to 8 hours per week and about 40–60 out‑of‑state applications annually) while providing a consistent consumer‑protection standard. NDUS representatives proposed removing statutory language that duplicates NC‑SARA processes and adopting a board review process and appeal pathway for institutions denied NC‑SARA membership.

Representatives of some out‑of‑state providers testified in support of continuing access for their students. Doctor Sue Subak, associate president and provost at Walden University (part of a group that includes Chamberlain University), said Walden and Chamberlain enroll North Dakota residents in health‑related programs and argued for clear, objective criteria and an appeal process. Walden/Chamberlain representatives said they serve nursing and social‑work students, maintain program‑level accreditations (for example CCNE for nursing), and rely on clinical agreements with local facilities.

NDUS staff urged removal or revision of two House‑side amendments (section 7 subsections 2 and 3 in the bill draft) that would create alternative eligibility paths tied to Title IV participation or an institution‑level composite score; NDUS said the House amendment could allow institutions to bypass a parent‑company composite score review and would increase student protection risks. The State Board proposed an alternate green‑lined exemption and a board‑administered appeal process instead, and asked the committee to advance the bill with the board’s recommended language.

No formal committee vote on House Bill 1064 was recorded during the hearing; proponents asked the committee to consider the board’s amendment and to provide a due pass recommendation.","NDUS and State Board representatives told the Senate Education Committee that House Bill 1064 would standardize authorization for out‑of‑state postsecondary distance providers by requiring NC‑SARA membership and higher financial and accreditation standards to protect students.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6284872,"Committee hears bill to let new NDA+ test and military courses qualify students for North Dakota scholarship",2451,400000,2851000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576603-d34c51240589a6f3b24105e2de75753d&start=400&end=2851","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576603-d34c51240589a6f3b24105e2de75753d/thumbnail_400000.jpg","/articles/6284872/North-Dakota/Committee-hears-bill-to-let-new-NDA-test-and-military-courses-qualify-students-for-North-Dakota-scholarship","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284872-d1e9887f5e3a152bcf1eee373dbeb9a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122053&Signature=TtUbDvxcoezA9eKjJ4Xj7CNA4Z2mNWDL~wrjJPunM6PTiSm0szUJ8y9QLpTcg~QTvzv~za0yNEBc1hlk77kG7Wz-Fo7~yrr8Ms9Zp39XP2tp9b4GQFpUWN-L0HSQ9ShiKU0mlYOy4VP8lX~bxaPdCVG1znXxnwLOryWsxi3FOZTO~4-kiadhnQZtGZEiptq35lDksKJSCGPny2FEVxgmTWHqN9pd7lvYKZDhTtH~8JnMhldJVlYw08Rp7RvbvRLjZ2gNcwAOZ7GB9KZPxBpYpRp4O39qje1egBFGzhq2Fzie2N23gkyBeQH~-pDoBpKUbWn9xaz-I7-mdCsZS2o3cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 1404 would add options for students to qualify for the North Dakota Scholarship, including using a scale score on the new NDA+ summative assessment equivalent to an ACT score of 24 and allowing completion of two credits of specified military coursework as an additional indicator in the military-ready pathway.

Representative Cynthia Schreiberbeck, District 25, introduced the bill and asked the committee for favorable consideration.

Jim Uppgren, Department of Public Instruction (DPI), provided detailed testimony. “The North Dakota Scholarship is a $6,000 college scholarship awarded to students based on requirements met while they were in high school,” Uppgren told the committee. He said the scholarship is aligned with the state’s Choice Ready high school accountability metrics but is written with “rigorous expectations above and beyond what’s required for the basic Choice Ready baseline graduation requirements.”

Uppgren explained the bill’s two main changes: permitting the NDA+ summative assessment to substitute for the ACT or SAT test score requirement if the NDA+ scale score is shown to be equivalent in rigor to an ACT 24, and creating a discrete military coursework pathway that would let students meet the military-ready pathway’s additional-indicator requirement by earning two credits from a specified sequence of military courses. He listed the proposed military courses: Introduction to Military Careers, ASVAB Essential Skills for Military Success, Military Health and Fitness, Career Foundations of Military Leadership, and Military Leadership Capstone.

DPI officials said the state’s new NDA+ assessment is being administered to tenth graders this school year; the process to link an NDA+ scale score to an ACT 24 will require psychometric work and a short review period. Dan Shower, assessment director for DPI, described the standard-setting and linking process and said the department expects to run a primary linkage analysis and then re-check the result the following year before recommending a numeric NDA+ cutoff. “Once we get that study done . . . we’ll post the study publicly on our website,” Shower said.

Uppgren and DPI staff also noted the bill removes obsolete language that referenced use of the ACT for accountability because the state is moving tenth graders to the NDA+ for annual accountability and is no longer paying for the ACT as a statewide accountability instrument.

Rebecca Pollard, director of strategic operations for the North Dakota Center for Distance Education (NDCDE), and Caitlin Allen, NDCDE director of curriculum (testifying virtually), described the military coursework program NDCDE is building. Allen said the military-prep sequence was developed in collaboration with the North Dakota National Guard and modeled in part on other states’ programs. She said the first course, Introduction to Military Careers, launched with 36 students enrolled and that NDCDE has requested funding to waive program costs for up to 100 students.

No formal committee vote on House Bill 1404 was recorded during this hearing; proponents requested the committee give the bill a favorable recommendation.

The bill drew technical questions from committee members about how the NDA+ linking would be done, how often the equivalent scale score would be reviewed, whether military courses would be available only through the Center for Distance Education or also through local schools, and how GPA is calculated for eligibility. DPI officials said the GPA requirement for the scholarship is an actual (non‑weighted) 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and that course approvals and course codes can be picked up by any school that chooses to offer them once the courses are approved.","A bill before the Senate Education Committee would let students use an equivalent score on the new NDA+ statewide assessment in place of an ACT 24 for scholarship pathways and add a two-credit military coursework pathway as an alternative indicator for the military-ready route.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill to clarify school referrals to juvenile court advances after advocates and educators back changes

Committee backs bill requiring schools to offer voluntary Pledge of Allegiance each morning

Higher‑ed officials back bill to require NC‑SARA membership for out‑of‑state distance providers

Committee hears bill to let new NDA+ test and military courses qualify students for North Dakota scholarship