North DakotaSB 23542025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

AN ACT to amend and reenact the new section to chapter 15.1-07 of the North Dakota Century Code, as created by House Bill No. 1160, as approved by the sixty-ninth legislative assembly, relating to the use of personal electronic devices in schools providing prekindergarten, elementary, or secondary education.

Sponsored By: Michelle Axtman (Republican)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Clear, safe, and updated device policies

Districts must get input from students, parents, and educators when developing the device policy. Policies must address who keeps possession of devices and how to protect against loss or theft. Districts must post the policy on the district website, tell students, parents, and authorized caregivers, and include it in student and staff handbooks. Districts must review and update the policy every year using new research and data, and collect annual data on behavior, mental health, discipline, attendance, and academics. By July 1, 2026, the Superintendent of Public Instruction must set up a uniform system for districts to report this data.

Districts must adopt device policies by 2026

Beginning August 1, 2026, each school district must adopt a personal electronic device policy with its school board. The policy must be consistent across grade levels. It must also promote research-backed smartphone practices that support learning and student well-being.

Student device limits with key exceptions

The law restricts student use of personal electronic devices during school hours. During instructional time, devices must be silenced or off, put away, and not accessible. Teachers may allow devices for class learning. Students may use a device for documented health needs or under an individual health plan. Schools cannot block device use that is in a student's IEP, in a Section 504 plan, required by other law, or deemed necessary by a licensed medical provider.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Michelle Axtman

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Glenn Bosch

    Republican • House

  • Emily O'Brien

    Republican • House

  • Sean Cleary

    Republican • Senate

  • Jonathan Sickler

    Republican • Senate

  • Paul J. Thomas

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 226 • No: 48

House vote 5/1/2025

Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 73 nays 17

Yes: 73 • No: 17

Senate vote 4/29/2025

Second reading, passed, yeas 45 nays 2

Yes: 45 • No: 2

House vote 4/7/2025

Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 61 nays 29

Yes: 61 • No: 29

Senate vote 2/19/2025

Second reading, passed, yeas 47 nays 0

Yes: 47 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Filed with Secretary Of State 05/02

    6/11/2025House
  2. Signed by Governor 05/02

    5/2/2025Senate
  3. Sent to Governor

    5/2/2025Senate
  4. Signed by President

    5/2/2025Senate
  5. Signed by Speaker

    5/1/2025House
  6. Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 73 nays 17

    5/1/2025House
  7. Conference committee report adopted

    5/1/2025House
  8. Reported back from conference committee, in place of, placed on calendar

    4/29/2025House
  9. Second reading, passed, yeas 45 nays 2

    4/29/2025Senate
  10. Conference committee report adopted

    4/29/2025Senate
  11. Reported back from conference committee, in place of, placed on calendar

    4/29/2025Senate
  12. Conference committee appointed Jonas Novak Osowski

    4/17/2025House
  13. Conference committee appointed Axtman Wobbema Lemm

    4/15/2025Senate
  14. Refused to concur

    4/15/2025Senate
  15. Returned to Senate (12)

    4/8/2025Senate
  16. Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 61 nays 29

    4/7/2025House
  17. Amendment adopted, placed on calendar

    4/3/2025House
  18. Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 13 1 0

    4/2/2025House
  19. Committee Hearing 09:00

    3/26/2025House
  20. Introduced, first reading, referred Education Committee

    2/21/2025House
  21. Received from Senate

    2/20/2025House
  22. Second reading, passed, yeas 47 nays 0

    2/19/2025Senate
  23. Amendment adopted, placed on calendar

    2/19/2025Senate
  24. Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 14 0 2

    2/18/2025Senate
  25. Rereferred to Appropriations

    2/12/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Adopted by the Conference Committee

  • Adopted by the House Education Committee

  • Adopted by the Senate Education Committee

  • Enrollment

  • FIRST ENGROSSMENT

  • INTRODUCED

  • Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Committee

  • SECOND ENGROSSMENT

  • SECOND ENGROSSMENT with Conference Committee Amendments

  • SECOND ENGROSSMENT with House Amendments

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