Bill > SB2244

This bill establishes comprehensive parental rights and school district obligations in North Dakota, focusing on parents' fundamental rights to control their children's education, upbringing, and healthcare. The bill defines parents as legal guardians and stipulates that they have exclusive rights to make decisions about their child's education, including choosing schooling types, accessing educational and medical records, directing moral and religious training, and consenting to health care decisions. School districts must now create parent participation plans, provide detailed curriculum information upon request, obtain parental consent for sensitive instruction (like sex education), allow parents to withdraw children from activities conflicting with their beliefs, and notify parents about school activities. The bill also requires schools to get parental written consent before using alternative names or pronouns for a child and prohibits school employees from withholding health-related information from parents. If a parent believes their rights have been violated, they can pursue legal action and may be entitled to relief, including attorney's fees. The legislation explicitly does not permit child abuse or override court orders and includes protections against parental actions that could end a child's life. Importantly, the bill emphasizes that any governmental interference with parental rights must be essential to a compelling state interest and use the least restrictive means possible.