North Dakota Senate committee hears testimony on transgender athlete bill
Over a two-hour period, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard the pros and cons of a bill that would impact transgender athletes. The committee adjourned before taking any action. Written By: Robin Huebner | ×
Beth Stelzer, a Minnesota powerlifter and founder of the nonpartisan coalition Save Women s Sports, testified in favor of HB 1298, which would bar youth under age 18 in North Dakota from participating in sports under any sex other than the one listed on their birth certificate.
BISMARCK Members of a Senate committee heard hours-long testimony from those for and against a bill that would effectively limit transgender athlete participation in North Dakota.
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However, prior to the hearing, bill sponsor Rep. Ben Koppelman, R-West Fargo, offered up amendments that would permit a facility to be rented or leased for such events and allow sponsorship of them by local destination marketing organizations, like the Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Some of those speaking against it framed their arguments in terms of harm to an already vulnerable transgender population.
Legislative Coordinator for the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition Brandi Hardy said the bill singles out a group of kids already targeted with bullying, rejection and violence.
“This will lead to higher rates of self harm and suicide, which is already significantly higher amongst LGBTQ youth,” Hardy said.
North Dakota lawmakers at odds over paid family leave
Paid family medical leave is once again on the table as Democratic lawmakers propose a bill to create an opt-in statewide paid leave fund and Republican legislators propose another bill that would prohibit local governments from requiring paid family leave. 5:44 pm, Feb. 3, 2021 ×
Miguel Ugalde / Freeimages.com
BISMARCK With another legislative session comes another discussion about paid family medical leave, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are proposing legislation to either implement or prohibit paid family leave in North Dakota.
On Wednesday, Feb. 3, lawmakers held their first hearing for House Bill 1441, which would establish a statewide, opt-in paid family leave program.
Bill aims to cement religious protections for North Dakota inmates
The bill states that prison or jail administrators may not burden the exercise of religion by an offender in the custody of the correctional facility under most circumstances. The proposal also says prisons and jails can t deny clergy access to an inmate. Written By: Jeremy Turley | ×
Rep. Steve Vetter, R-Grand Forks, speaks at a hearing in the North Dakota Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 2. Jeremy Turley / Forum News Service
BISMARCK A group of North Dakota Republicans has brought forward a bill that would prohibit jail and prison staff from hindering an inmate s religious practices. The proposal would also bar top state officials from requiring churches and other places of worship to close during emergencies or natural disasters.