All Roll Calls
Yes: 228 • No: 1
North DakotaHB 11662025 Regular SessionHouse
AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 12-60.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to closing certain criminal records; and to amend and reenact sections 12-60.1-01 and 12-60.1-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to closed records and grounds to file a petition to seal a criminal record.
Sponsored By: Brandy L. Pyle (Republican)
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Time windows to seal convictions
You can ask the court to seal a conviction if one of these is true. For a misdemeanor, you have no new conviction for at least 3 years before you file. For a felony, you have no new conviction for at least 5 years before you file. Or you received an unconditional pardon from the governor.
Automatic closing of cleared charges
The court automatically seals records when you are found not guilty, when all charges are dismissed, or when you get a pardon. It must do this within 90 days after the order is filed. Starting August 1, 2025, for new nonconviction orders, the court closes the record 61 days after the order. For older nonconviction cases (decided before August 1, 2025), you can file a petition, and there is no filing fee. The court must close the record within 10 days, unless the dismissal was part of a plea that included a conviction, the case was dismissed because you were not fit to proceed, a not-guilty verdict was for lack of criminal responsibility, or the case is on appeal. Closed records are not searchable by name online. Only certain court staff, criminal justice agencies, the defendant, and people a judge orders can view them.
Limits on sealing serious offenses
Some crimes cannot be sealed under this law. A felony involving violence or intimidation cannot be sealed while you are barred from having a firearm under state law. Offenses that require you to register under state law cannot be sealed while that registration applies. Also, some nonconviction records cannot be closed: when a dismissal was part of a plea with another conviction, when a case was dismissed because you were not fit to proceed, when a verdict was not guilty for lack of criminal responsibility, or while the case is on appeal.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Brandy L. Pyle
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Mike Berg
Republican • House
Emily O'Brien
Republican • House
Steve Vetter
Republican • House
Diane Larson
Republican • Senate
Janne Myrdal
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/14/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 92 nays 1
Yes: 92 • No: 1
Senate vote • 4/1/2025
Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 46 nays 0
Yes: 46 • No: 0
House vote • 1/23/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 90 nays 0, Emergency clause carried
Yes: 90 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Filed with Secretary Of State 04/22
4/24/2025HouseSigned by Governor 04/21
4/23/2025HouseSent to Governor
4/18/2025HouseSigned by Speaker
4/18/2025HouseSigned by President
4/16/2025SenateSecond reading, passed, yeas 92 nays 1
4/14/2025HouseConcurred
4/14/2025HouseReturned to House (12)
4/2/2025HouseSecond reading, passed as amended, yeas 46 nays 0
4/1/2025SenateAmendment adopted, placed on calendar
3/28/2025SenateReported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 7 0 0
3/27/2025SenateCommittee Hearing 11:00
3/11/2025SenateIntroduced, first reading, (emergency), referred Judiciary Committee
2/13/2025SenateReceived from House
1/24/2025SenateSecond reading, passed, yeas 90 nays 0, Emergency clause carried
1/23/2025HouseAmendment adopted, placed on calendar
1/22/2025HouseReported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 11 0 3
1/21/2025HouseCommittee Hearing 09:00
1/13/2025HouseIntroduced, first reading, (emergency), referred Judiciary Committee
1/7/2025House
Bill Text
Adopted by the Senate Judiciary Committee
Enrollment
FIRST ENGROSSMENT
FIRST ENGROSSMENT with Senate Amendments
INTRODUCED
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Representative Klemin
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