North DakotaHB 11662025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

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)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More privacy for defendants without convictions

North Dakota courts must close eligible court records when all charges in a case are dismissed or end in acquittal. For nonconviction orders entered on or after August 1, 2025, records close after 61 days. For cases disposed of before that date, defendants must petition; courts must close eligible records within 10 days. Courts cannot charge a filing fee for these petitions. Closure excludes appealed cases and dismissals tied to plea deals involving another conviction or findings that defendants were unfit to proceed. It also excludes not-guilty verdicts based on lack of criminal responsibility. Closed records remain available to specified court and criminal justice officials, defendants, their lawyers, and people authorized by a judge.

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

All Roll Calls

Yes: 228 • No: 1

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

  1. Filed with Secretary Of State 04/22

    4/24/2025House
  2. Signed by Governor 04/21

    4/23/2025House
  3. Sent to Governor

    4/18/2025House
  4. Signed by Speaker

    4/18/2025House
  5. Signed by President

    4/16/2025Senate
  6. Second reading, passed, yeas 92 nays 1

    4/14/2025House
  7. Concurred

    4/14/2025House
  8. Returned to House (12)

    4/2/2025House
  9. Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 46 nays 0

    4/1/2025Senate
  10. Amendment adopted, placed on calendar

    3/28/2025Senate
  11. Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 7 0 0

    3/27/2025Senate
  12. Committee Hearing 11:00

    3/11/2025Senate
  13. Introduced, first reading, (emergency), referred Judiciary Committee

    2/13/2025Senate
  14. Received from House

    1/24/2025Senate
  15. Second reading, passed, yeas 90 nays 0, Emergency clause carried

    1/23/2025House
  16. Amendment adopted, placed on calendar

    1/22/2025House
  17. Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 11 0 3

    1/21/2025House
  18. Committee Hearing 09:00

    1/13/2025House
  19. Introduced, 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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