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
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Adoption filings, notices, and investigations
You must file a signed, verified adoption petition with key facts about you, the child, custody, consent, and any subsidies. Give at least 20 days’ notice and a copy of the petition to the Department of Health and Human Services and, if the child is in custody, the human service zone; also notify required consenters, identified biological parents, and tribes when relevant. A licensed agency must investigate and file a written report before the hearing, including child history and background checks; the Department steps in if the agency has a conflict. A foster parent licensed over one year with no serious sanctions is presumed suitable unless the custodial agency shows concern. No investigation is needed for stepparent or adult adoptions, and the court can waive it for a guardian or relative if the child lived with them at least nine months and there are no abuse or neglect allegations; the Department or human service zone may consent without an investigation when required. For adult adoptions, you must also notify each living parent.
Relative placements allowed with one-year deadline
A parent may place a child with certain relatives or a guardian for adoption after giving written notice to the Department of Health and Human Services. If that person does not start adoption or guardianship within one year from the Department’s notice of placement, the law treats the child as abandoned.
Rules on adoption fees and expenses
The court verifies that adoption expenses are reasonable, and fees must be disclosed in a written financial agreement with itemized receipts and approved in a report; fees cannot depend on a placement or consent. Allowed fees include facilitation, birth parents’ legal fees, medical costs not covered by insurance or public aid, and related travel and lodging, plus limited living expenses. Living expenses only cover pregnancy-related needs and up to six weeks after birth, unless a court finds the birth mother cannot work due to physical limits; they do not include lost wages, gifts, school costs, or vacations. Agencies may charge for home studies and supervision, but they cannot refuse placement because a couple cannot pay.
Stronger licensing and penalties for placements
Anyone who places a child for adoption must be licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services; the Department may provide services when an agency has a conflict and no other is available. The law expands what counts as placing a child, including short‑term foster care before adoption, keeping lists of birth or adoptive parents, and advertising. The Department can revoke an agency’s license for fraud, false reports, rule violations, or crimes that affect service, and willful violations are a class C felony. The act also repeals two older sections to align with this stricter framework.
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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