North Dakota Bans Preferred Pronouns Policies, Strengthens Parental Rights

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (L) speaks with North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (C) before the start of a meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and governors visiting from states around the country, in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Feb. 10, 2023. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum signed a bill on Monday that will allow teachers, school officials, and government entities to ignore a student’s preferred pronoun and ban hiding a student’s transgender status from their parents.

House Bill 1522 (pdf) was approved by North Dakota lawmakers with a veto-proof majority of 40–6 in the Senate and 68–22 in the House. The law came into effect immediately.