North DakotaHB 13512025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 13 of section 12.1-27.1-01 and section 12.1-27.1-03.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to sexually expressive images; and to provide a penalty.

Sponsored By: Bernie Satrom (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Image abuse victims gain legal remedies

An identifiable person harmed by a sexually expressive image violation can sue the person responsible. Covered images include real, altered, or computer-generated images showing nudity, partial nudity, or sexual conduct. The lawsuit covers making, possessing, sharing, promoting, selling, showing, broadcasting, or transmitting images for specified purposes. Those purposes include sexual arousal or gratification, humiliation, degradation, or financial gain. A winning plaintiff can recover the greater of actual damages, including emotional distress, or statutory damages up to $10,000 per defendant. Recovery can also include the defendant’s monetary gain and additional damages meant to punish the defendant. Courts may award legal fees, costs, and orders to stop the conduct. Plaintiffs can redact identifying details but must also file an unredacted version and a confidential information form. Courts can order further privacy protections, and other state and federal remedies remain available.

Victims face limits suing service providers

This law does not impose liability on online, information, or telecommunications service providers for content supplied by another person. The protection applies under both the image-abuse section and its broader chapter. It limits victims’ ability to hold those providers responsible under these state provisions, not every possible law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bernie Satrom

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Josh Christy

    Republican • House

  • Mitch Ostlie

    Republican • House

  • Mary Schneider

    Democratic • House

  • David A. Clemens

    Republican • Senate

  • Cole Conley

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 231 • No: 1

House vote • 4/14/2025

Second reading, passed, yeas 93 nays 1

Yes: 93 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/31/2025

Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 45 nays 0

Yes: 45 • No: 0

House vote • 2/3/2025

Second reading, passed, yeas 93 nays 0

Yes: 93 • 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 93 nays 1

    4/14/2025House
  7. Concurred

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

    4/1/2025House
  9. Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 45 nays 0

    3/31/2025Senate
  10. Amendment adopted, placed on calendar

    3/27/2025Senate
  11. Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 7 0 0

    3/26/2025Senate
  12. Committee Hearing 11:00

    3/18/2025Senate
  13. Introduced, first reading, referred Judiciary Committee

    2/13/2025Senate
  14. Received from House

    2/4/2025Senate
  15. Second reading, passed, yeas 93 nays 0

    2/3/2025House
  16. Amendment adopted, placed on calendar

    1/30/2025House
  17. Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 11 0 3

    1/29/2025House
  18. Committee Hearing 10:00

    1/20/2025House
  19. Introduced, first reading, referred Judiciary Committee

    1/13/2025House

Bill Text

  • Adopted by the House Judiciary Committee

  • Adopted by the Senate Judiciary Committee

  • Enrollment

  • FIRST ENGROSSMENT

  • FIRST ENGROSSMENT with Senate Amendments

  • INTRODUCED

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