All Roll Calls
Yes: 134 • No: 1
North DakotaHB 11202025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT to amend and reenact sections 14-15-09, 14-15-11, 50-12-09, 50-12-10, and 50-12-17 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the revised uniform adoption act and child-placing agencies; to repeal sections 50-12-02.1 and 50-12-11 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to out-of-state child-placing agencies and revocation of license; and to provide a penalty.
Sponsored By: House Human Services
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Foster families qualify sooner for adoption presumption
Foster-home adoption applicants no longer need more than one year of continuous approval to have their home presumed suitable. They must remain continuously licensed or approved, with no correction order, financial sanction, or license revocation proceeding. The agency with custody can still oppose using the assessment or home based on the child's best interest.
State adoption help when agencies have conflicts
North Dakota's Department of Health and Human Services may investigate a child and adoption applicant when an agency has a conflict. This investigation option applies to adoptions involving a minor. The department may also provide adoption services when an agency has a conflict and no other agency can provide them.
Families face updated adoption court requirements
Adoption petitions must include identifying details, expected financial resources, property information, and consent status, along with required filing fees. They must name the state department and human service zone as respondents. Notice and service rules cover these agencies and people whose consent may be needed in minor and adult adoptions. Required investigations and reports have limited waivers, notably for stepparent and adult adoptions. When a parent places a child with a relative, failure to start proceedings within one year after notice triggers an abandonment presumption.
Adoptive families face clearer fee limits
North Dakota adoption agencies may charge families reasonable fees listed in a financial agreement and must give itemized receipts. Allowed costs include counseling, home studies, legal services, medical care, transportation, and birth-mother living expenses. Medical costs cannot include amounts covered by insurance or public aid; living costs cannot duplicate public aid. Living expenses may cover pregnancy-related inability to work and up to six weeks after delivery, subject to court adjustment. They cannot cover lost wages, gifts, education, vacations, or similar costs. Fees cannot depend on placement, consent, or cooperation.
Adoption agencies face revised licensing rules
The law sets licensing and registration requirements for placing children in family homes for adoption. North Dakota may revoke agency licenses for legal violations, fraudulent claims, or false or misleading reports. The law removes a prior conviction-related ground for revocation, including its rehabilitation review. Willful violations of the child-placing agency chapter are a class C felony. The law also repeals two provisions concerning out-of-state agencies and license revocation.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
House Human Services
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/7/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 46 nays 1
Yes: 46 • No: 1
House vote • 1/20/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 88 nays 0
Yes: 88 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Filed with Secretary Of State 03/14
3/19/2025HouseSigned by Governor 03/14
3/18/2025HouseSent to Governor
3/13/2025HouseSigned by Speaker
3/13/2025HouseSigned by President
3/12/2025SenateReturned to House
3/10/2025HouseSecond reading, passed, yeas 46 nays 1
3/7/2025SenateReported back, do pass, place on calendar 6 0 0
3/7/2025SenateCommittee Hearing 09:00
2/12/2025SenateIntroduced, first reading, referred Human Services Committee
2/5/2025SenateReceived from House
1/21/2025SenateSecond reading, passed, yeas 88 nays 0
1/20/2025HouseAmendment adopted, placed on calendar
1/17/2025HouseReported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 13 0 0
1/16/2025HouseCommittee Hearing 03:00
1/13/2025HouseIntroduced, first reading, referred Human Services Committee
1/7/2025House
Bill Text
Adopted by the House Human Services Committee
Enrollment
FIRST ENGROSSMENT
INTRODUCED
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