Global Courant 2023-04-28 11:53:44
A bill in North Dakota before Republican Governor Doug Burgum would allow public school teachers and employees of state agencies to ignore the preferred pronouns of their transgender students and colleagues.
Senate lawmakers passed the bill without debate by a vote of 40 to 6 on Thursday — two days after the House pushed the bill through by a vote of 68 to 22. Both chambers passed the law with a veto-proof majority, meaning it could become law without Burgum’s approval.
The bill further prohibits transgender public school students from using the bathroom of their choice unless they have permission from a parent or legal guardian.
In addition to the toilet ban, teachers would also be required to tell a student’s parent or guardian if the student identifies as transgender.
NORTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR VETOS WHAT LIBRARY REQUIRES TO SCREEN SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIAL FROM CHILDREN
A student carries a trans flag during a rally at Bowmore Road Junior and Senior Public School in Toronto on April 13, 2022. (Steve Russell/Toronto star via Getty Images)
Republican Rep. Karen Rohr, who supports the bill, said it contains language that the governor has said “he would have no objection to signing,” according to The Associated Press. She added that the legislation “is also consistent with the governor’s statement that parents should be involved when these situations arise.”
Republican Cynthia Schreiber-Beck said she opposes the bill because it doesn’t go far enough, adding that private schools receiving state and federal funding should also be included in the measure.
“I’m very concerned that this is only aimed at public schools,” she said.
While Burgum has signed several bills into law in recent weeks restricting transgender rights, his signature isn’t needed for it to go into effect — but if he does sign it, it will immediately become law.
The bill could also become law if it sits on the governor’s desk for three days without a signature. If Burgum decides to veto the bill, House and Senate lawmakers will likely override it and the bill will become law.
NORTH DAKOTA HOUSE INDICATES BILL WHO BANNED ALMOST ALL ABORTIONS AFTER 6 WEEKS
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum speaks at a news conference. (Stephen Yang/Getty Images)
Legislation signed into law earlier this month by North Dakota law prohibits transgender children and adults from accessing bathrooms, locker rooms or showers in dormitories of state-run colleges and correctional facilities that do not match their biological sex.
Another bill makes it a crime to provide health care to minors based on their gender identity.
A third prohibit transgender girls and women from participating in female sports teams in primary school and university.
The North Dakota Capitol Tower rises in the background behind a stone sign in Bismarck, North Dakota. (AP Photo/Dale Wetzel, File)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Burgum vetoed a similar bill in March that would have allowed teachers and government agencies to ignore personal pronouns. The Senate voted to override its veto, but the House decided to override the veto.
The current bill was drafted by the Senate days later by adding the pronoun ignoring bit to legislation governing access to the bathroom in schools.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
