We are now officially half way through the North Dakota state legislative session. That means that bills will now “crossover.” Any bills that passed in the house will now be considered in the senate and vice versa.
So… we still need your help to make sure that critical life related bills pass in this legislative session! Here are some of the bills that we are still keeping an eye on:
HB 1035
This bill covers many different issue areas, but there is a small section that addresses unborn children who survive abortion procedures making them a child in need of protection, therefore protecting by the state of North Dakota. Please click on the bill number and scroll to this text found on the bottom of page 22 and the beginning of page 23.
Action Item: Contact your legislator and ask them to support the bill
Passed the House Chamber on 02/15/21. 90 yeas 4 nays. Will be assigned to a ND House Committee after crossover.
SB 2030
A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the state board of higher education for the higher education challenge matching grant program; excludes institutions that sponsor, partner with, apply for grants with, or provide a grant subaward to any person or organization that performs, or promotes the performance of, an abortion unless the abortion is necessary to prevent the death of the woman, and not participating or sponsoring any program producing, distributing, publishing, disseminating, endorsing, or approving materials of any type or from any organization, that between normal childbirth and abortion, do not give preference, encouragement, and support to normal childbirth.
Action Item: Contact your legislator and ask them to support the bill
Passed in the ND Senate on 02/18/2021 with 29 yea 18 nay. Will be assigned to a ND House Committee after crossover.
SB 2145
A BILL relating to access to long-term care facilities in case of a declaration of disaster or emergency; and to declare an emergency.
Action Item: Contact your legislator and ask them to support the bill
Passed in the ND Senate on 02/17/2021 with 47 yea 0 nay. Will be assigned to a ND House Committee after crossover.
SCR 4002
A concurrent resolution declaring September 23, 2021, as Fourth Trimester Care Day in North Dakota.
Action Item: There is no such thing a “fourth trimester” and it is very important that we do not use language that would desensitizes the meaning of life. While we support the concept of this bill, which is to raise awareness for mothers who have just given birth, we are asking to change Fourth Trimester to phrase that is more appropriate. Post-partum day would be an example.
Passed the ND Senate Chamber. Will be assigned to a ND House Committee after crossover.
SCR 4010
A concurrent resolution clarifying the 1975 ratification by the 44th Legislative Assembly of the proposed 1972 Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution of the United States only was valid through March 22, 1979.
Action Item: Contact your legislator and ask them to support the bill
Passed the ND Senate Chamber. Will be assigned to a ND House Committee after crossover.
Thank you for your attention to these critical issues and please contact Sierra Heitkamp at Director@NDRL.org.