Bill > HB1222

This bill amends North Dakota state law to require public schools to offer students the opportunity to recite the Pledge of Allegiance each morning, while explicitly clarifying that students cannot be compelled to participate. Specifically, the bill removes language that merely "authorized" the voluntary recitation of the pledge and replaces it with a mandate that school districts adopt policies ensuring all students are offered the chance to recite the pledge daily. The bill maintains important protections for student choice, explicitly stating that no student can be required to recite the pledge, stand during its recitation, or salute the American flag. This change ensures that schools provide a consistent opportunity for patriotic expression while preserving individual students' rights to opt out based on personal preference or belief. The amendment applies to both public and nonpublic schools in North Dakota, and is part of a broader set of provisions related to student speech and religious expression in educational settings.

Education

https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/bill-overview/bo1222.html