North Dakota Gov Signs Bill Requiring K-12 Students To Use Bathrooms On The Basis Of Biological Sex

Republican North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum signed a bill into law Monday that requires K-12 students to use bathrooms on the basis of biological sex rather than gender identity.

Under House Bill 1522, public school teachers are allowed to ignore “preferred pronouns” that do not match a student’s biological sex. The bill, signed into law by Burgum on Monday, passed the state House in a 68-22 vote and the state Senate approved the legislation in April, 40-6.

“House Bill 1522 largely codifies existing practices while reaffirming the First Amendment right to free speech, requiring restroom accommodations, balancing the rights and interests of students, parents and teachers, and not including the concerning language from the previously vetoed and sustained SB [Senate Bill] 2231,” Burgum told InForum.