Bill > HB1328

This bill amends North Dakota law regarding how delinquency referrals to juvenile court are handled, specifically expanding who can make a referral to include school employees in addition to law enforcement officers. The bill requires schools to exhaust all internal discipline policies before referring a student to juvenile court for infractions or misdemeanors, with exceptions for serious offenses like drug-related crimes, offenses against a person, sex offenses, and any offenses involving weapons. The bill also clarifies that for most school-based infractions, schools must document unsuccessful interventions and internal or external consultations before making a juvenile court referral. Law enforcement officers are granted specific permissions related to investigating possible delinquent offenses at schools, including conducting probable cause searches, consulting with school staff, referring children to juvenile court, transporting students, and taking temporary or protective custody when necessary to protect student safety. The amendments aim to create a more measured approach to handling student misconduct by prioritizing school-based interventions and limiting juvenile court referrals to more serious situations.

Education, Justice

https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/bill-overview/bo1328.html