ND governor approves bill on transgender student pronouns and bathroom access.

North Dakota Governor Signs Bill on Guidelines for Transgender Students

On Monday, Governor Doug Burgum (R-ND) signed a bill into law that outlines guidelines for transgender students in North Dakota. The new law requires students to use bathrooms that correspond with their sex at birth and allows teachers to notify parents or legal guardians if their student identifies as transgender. However, teachers are not required to refer to the student by their preferred pronouns.

North Dakota Legislature Passes Eight Anti-Transgender Bills

The bill passed with veto-proof majorities, but Governor Burgum signed it into law, stating that it “largely codifies existing practices while reaffirming the First Amendment right to free speech.” The legislation balances the “rights and interests of students, parents, and teachers,” he said.

This is the latest set of transgender-related legislation to pass in the United States as GOP-controlled legislatures nationwide examine how their states handle issues regarding transgender students. Governor Burgum vetoed a similar bill in March, citing “concerning language” that would have turned teachers into the “pronoun police” and set up the state for lawsuits.

Other Transgender-Related Bills in North Dakota

The North Dakota legislature sent eight bills to the governor’s desk on April 7, including bills banning biological men from participating in women’s sports from kindergarten through college. In 2021, Burgum vetoed a bill limiting transgender athletes’ participation in sports. North Dakota also became the fourth state to make providing gender-related treatment to transgender minors a felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $20,000 in fines. Some Republicans and all Democrats voted against the bill.

• Students must use bathrooms that correspond with their sex at birth
• Teachers can notify parents or legal guardians if their student identifies as transgender
• Teachers are not required to refer to the student by their preferred pronouns
• Burgum vetoed a similar bill in March
• Burgum signed bills banning biological men from participating in women’s sports from kindergarten through college
• Burgum vetoed a bill limiting transgender athletes’ participation in sports in 2021
• North Dakota became the fourth state to make providing gender-related treatment to transgender minors a felony

These bills have sparked controversy and debate across the country, with advocates for transgender rights arguing that they are discriminatory and harmful to transgender individuals. Others argue that they are necessary to protect the rights and interests of all students, parents, and teachers. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how these laws will be enforced and what impact they will have on transgender students in North Dakota and beyond.