North Dakota 69-2025 Assembly Status: Enacted 7 R cosponsors

HB 1556 — Relating to a child in need of protection and termination of parental rights; to create a workgroup under the children's cabinet to study out‑of‑home placement or treatment of children with behavioral health issues; to provide for a report; to provide an expiration date; and to declare an emergency.

Last action — Filed with Secretary Of State 04/23

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 20, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Kelly Armstrong (Republican) on April 24, 2025.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 82% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 10 sponsors

    1 primary, 9 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (7 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 5 of section 27-20.3-01, and sections 27-20.3-15 and 27-20.3-21 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a child in need of protection and termination of parental rights; to create a workgroup under the children's cabinet to study out-of-home placement or treatment of children with behavioral health issues; to provide for a report; to provide an expiration date; and to declare an emergency.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

201 added · 187 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of HB 1556 includes some modifications to the definition of a "child in need of protection." Specifically, it now recognizes that a child's lack of proper care can also stem from the illness or disability of their parents, without it being seen as the parents' fault. This change is important because it emphasizes a more compassionate understanding of family circumstances, potentially leading to better support for children and their families in need. Additionally, the bill establishes a workgroup to study the treatment of children with behavioral health issues, which could improve care options for affected children.

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25.1093.02000 Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly of North Dakota FIRST ENGROSSMENT ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO.
Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly of North Dakota In Regular Session Commencing Tuesday, January 7, 2025 HOUSE BILL NO.
1556 Introduced by Representatives Stemen, Beltz, Hagert, O'Brien, Ostlie, Dockter, Nelson Senators Lee, Roers, Davison A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 5 of section 27-20.3-01, and sections 27-20.3-15 and 27-20.3-21 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a child in need of protection and termination of parental rights;
1556 (Representatives Stemen, Beltz, Hagert, O'Brien, Ostlie, Dockter, Nelson) (Senators Lee, Roers, Davison) AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 5 of section 27-20.3-01, and sections 27-20.3-15 and 27-20.3-21 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a child in need of protection and termination of parental rights;
to create a workgroup under the children's cabinet to study out-of-home placement or treatment of children with behavioral health issues;
to provide for a report;
to provide an expiration date;
Page No.
f.
1 25.1093.02000 Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly f.
(2) Has committed an act of a violent or sexual nature against another family member living in the household, which if committed by an adult would be considered a crime under the laws of this state;
(2) Has committed an act of a violent or sexual nature against another family member living in the household, which if committed by an adult would be considered a crime under the laws of this state, and if the criteria under section 27-20.4-11 are met, has at minimum been considered for informal adjustment;
and (3) Whose parent is unable to provide proper control of the child and is in fear for the safety of a family member living in the same household as the child.
and H.
B.
NO.
1556 - PAGE 2 (3) Whose parent is unable to provide proper control of the child and is in fear for the safety of a family member living in the same household as the child.
Page No.
c.
2 25.1093.02000 Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly c.
(2) The portion of the child's life spent living in the household of a parent of the child;
H.
B.
NO.
1556 - PAGE 3 (2) The portion of the child's life spent living in the household of a parent of the child;
and Page No.
and (5) The expressed wishes of a child age ten or older.
3 25.1093.02000 Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly (5) The expressed wishes of a child age ten or older.
Page No.
b.
4 25.1093.02000 Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly b.
and (3) Such services have not been provided consistent with time periods described in the case plan.
and H.
B.
NO.
1556 - PAGE 4 (3) Such services have not been provided consistent with time periods described in the case plan.
Page No.
(1) Denying a petition to grant care, custody, and control of the child to the human service zone or the division of juvenile services;
5 25.1093.02000 Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly (1) Denying a petition to grant care, custody, and control of the child to the human service zone or the division of juvenile services;
SECTION 4.
H.
B.
NO.
1556 - PAGE 5 SECTION 4.
CHILDREN'S CABINET - WORKGROUP - OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT OR TREATMENT OF CHILDREN WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES - REPORT.
1.
During the 2025-26 interim, the children's cabinet shall establish a workgroup to study the out-of-home placement or treatment of children with serious behavioral health issues.
The study must include consideration of children who also are involved in juvenile court proceedings due to criminal activity.
2.
The workgroup shall develop and implement a system of care for children with serious behavioral health issues, who may be involved in juvenile court proceedings due to criminal activity, and who are in need of out-of-home placement or treatment.
3.
The workgroup must be led by a consultant with expertise in navigating and managing the intersecting systems involved in the out-of-home placement and treatment processes for children with serious behavioral health issues and children involved in juvenile court proceedings due to criminal activity.
Show all 60 changed rows (20 more)
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4.
The workgroup shall provide bimonthly reports to the children's cabinet on the assessment of needs, resources, challenges, options, and solutions.
SECTION 5.
EXPIRATION DATE.
Sections 1, 2, and 3 of this Act are effective through July 31, 2027, and after that date are ineffective.
SECTION 6.
Page No.
H.
6 25.1093.02000
B.
NO.
1556 - PAGE 6 ____________________________ ____________________________ Speaker of the House President of the Senate ____________________________ ____________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Secretary of the Senate This certifies that the within bill originated in the House of Representatives of the Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly of North Dakota and is known on the records of that body as House Bill No.
1556 and that two-thirds of the members-elect of the House of Representatives voted in favor of said law.
Vote:
Yeas 91 Nays 0 Absent 3 ____________________________ ____________________________ Speaker of the House Chief Clerk of the House This certifies that two-thirds of the members-elect of the Senate voted in favor of said law.
Vote:
Yeas 46 Nays 0 Absent 1 ____________________________ ____________________________ President of the Senate Secretary of the Senate Received by the Governor at ________M.
on _____________________________________, 2025.
Approved at ________M.
on __________________________________________________, 2025.
____________________________ Governor Filed in this office this ___________day of _______________________________________, 2025, at ________ o’clock ________M.
____________________________ Secretary of State
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Action History

  1. Filed with Secretary Of State 04/23

  2. Signed by Governor 04/23

  3. Sent to Governor

  4. Signed by Speaker

  5. Signed by President

  6. Second reading, passed, yeas 91 nays 0, Emergency clause carried

  7. Concurred

  8. Returned to House (12)

  9. Emergency clause carried

  10. Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 46 nays 0

  11. Amendment adopted, placed on calendar

  12. Laid over one legislative day

  13. Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 6 0 0

  14. Committee Hearing 10:15

  15. Introduced, first reading, (emergency), referred Human Services Committee

  16. Received from House

  17. Second reading, passed, yeas 90 nays 0, Emergency clause carried

  18. Amendment adopted, placed on calendar

  19. Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 13 0 0

  20. Committee Hearing 10:20

  21. Introduced, first reading, referred Human Services Committee

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 9 co-sponsors · 138 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (9)

Not signed on (138)

138 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 138 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Final Passage

Passed 91 Yea · 0 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 80002
Unaffiliated 1000
Democratic 10001
Total 91003
% of votes cast 97%0%0%3%
How each member voted (94)
Member Party Vote
Olson — Yea
Brown, Collette Democratic Yea
Conmy, Liz Democratic Yea
Davis, Jayme Democratic Yea
Dobervich, Gretchen Democratic Yea
Finley-DeVille, Lisa Democratic Yea
Foss, Austin Democratic Yea
Hager, LaurieBeth Democratic Yea
Hanson, Karla Rose Democratic Yea
Ista, Zachary Democratic Not Voting
Mitskog, Alisa Democratic Yea
Schneider, Mary Democratic Yea
Anderson, Bert Republican Yea
Anderson, Dick Republican Yea
Anderson, Karen A. Republican Yea
Bahl, Landon Republican Yea
Beltz, Mike Republican Yea
Berg, Mike Republican Yea
Bolinske, Macy Republican Yea
Bosch, Glenn Republican Yea
Brandenburg, Mike Republican Yea
Brown, TJ Republican Not Voting
Christianson, Nels Republican Yea
Dockter, Jason Republican Yea
Dressler, Ty Republican Yea
Fegley, Clayton Republican Yea
Fisher, Jay Republican Yea
Frelich, Kathy Republican Yea
Grindberg, Karen Republican Yea
Grueneich, Jim Republican Yea
Hagert, Jared C. Republican Yea
Hatlestad, Patrick R. Republican Yea
Hauck, Dori Republican Yea
Headland, Craig Republican Yea
Heilman, Matthew Republican Yea
Heinert, Pat D. Republican Yea
Henderson, Donna Republican Yea
Hendrix, Jared Republican Yea
Holle, Dawson Republican Yea
Hoverson, Jeff Republican Yea
Johnson, Jorin Republican Yea
Johnston, Daniel Republican Yea
Jonas, Jim Republican Yea
Karls, Karen Republican Yea
Kasper, Jim Republican Yea
Kempenich, Keith Republican Yea
Kiefert, Dwight Republican Yea
Klemin, Lawrence R. Republican Yea
Koppelman, Ben Republican Yea
Lefor, Mike Republican Yea
Longmuir, Donald W. Republican Yea
Louser, Scott Republican Yea
Maki, Roger A. Republican Yea
Marschall, Andrew Republican Yea
Martinson, Bob Republican Yea
McLeod, Carrie Republican Yea
Meier, Lisa Republican Yea
Monson, David Republican Yea
Morton, Desiree Republican Yea
Motschenbacher, Mike Republican Yea
Murphy, Eric J. Republican Yea
Nathe, Mike Republican Yea
Nehring, Dennis Republican Yea
Nelson, Jon O. Republican Yea
Novak, Anna S. Republican Yea
O'Brien, Emily Republican Not Voting
Olson, Jeremy Republican Yea
Osowski, Doug Republican Yea
Ostlie, Mitch Republican Yea
Porter, Todd Republican Yea
Pyle, Brandy L. Republican Yea
Richter, David Republican Yea
Rios, Nico Republican Yea
Rohr, Karen M. Republican Yea
Ruby, Dan Republican Yea
Ruby, Matthew Republican Yea
Sanford, Mark Republican Yea
Satrom, Bernie Republican Yea
Schatz, Mike Republican Yea
Schauer, Austen Republican Yea
Schreiber-Beck, Cynthia Republican Yea
Steiner, Vicky Republican Yea
Stemen, Gregory Republican Yea
Swiontek, Steve Republican Yea
Toman, Nathan Republican Yea
Tveit, Bill Republican Yea
VanWinkle, Lori Republican Yea
Vetter, Steve Republican Yea
Vigesaa, Don Republican Yea
Vollmer, Daniel R. Republican Yea
Wagner, Scott Republican Yea
Warrey, Jonathan Republican Yea
Weisz, Robin Republican Yea
Wolff, Christina Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Final Passage

Passed 46 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 1000
Republican 40001
Democratic 5000
Total 46001
% of votes cast 98%0%0%2%
How each member voted (47)
Member Party Vote
van Oosting — Yea
Boschee, Josh Democratic Yea
Braunberger, Ryan Democratic Yea
Hogan, Kathy Democratic Yea
Marcellais, Richard Democratic Yea
Mathern, Tim Democratic Yea
Axtman, Michelle Republican Yea
Barta, Jeff Republican Yea
Beard, Todd Republican Yea
Bekkedahl, Brad Republican Yea
Boehm, Keith Republican Yea
Burckhard, Randy A. Republican Yea
Castaneda, Jose L. Republican Yea
Cleary, Sean Republican Yea
Clemens, David A. Republican Yea
Conley, Cole Republican Yea
Cory, Claire Republican Yea
Davison, Kyle Republican Yea
Dever, Dick Republican Yea
Dwyer, Michael Republican Yea
Enget, Mark Republican Yea
Erbele, Robert Republican Yea
Gerhardt, Justin Republican Yea
Hogue, David Republican Not Voting
Kessel, Greg Republican Yea
Klein, Jerry Republican Yea
Larson, Diane Republican Yea
Lee, Judy Republican Yea
Lemm, Randy D. Republican Yea
Luick, Larry Republican Yea
Magrum, Jeffery J. Republican Yea
Meyer, Scott Republican Yea
Myrdal, Janne Republican Yea
Patten, Dale Republican Yea
Paulson, Bob Republican Yea
Powers, Michelle Republican Yea
Roers, Kristin Republican Yea
Rummel, Dean Republican Yea
Schaible, Donald Republican Yea
Sickler, Jonathan Republican Yea
Sorvaag, Ronald Republican Yea
Thomas, Paul J. Republican Yea
Walen, Chuck Republican Yea
Wanzek, Terry M. Republican Yea
Weber, Mark F. Republican Yea
Weston, Kent Republican Yea
Wobbema, Mike Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Final Passage

Passed 90 Yea · 0 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 79002
Democratic 10001
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 90003
% of votes cast 97%0%0%3%
How each member voted (93)
Member Party Vote
Olson — Yea
Brown, Collette Democratic Yea
Conmy, Liz Democratic Yea
Davis, Jayme Democratic Yea
Dobervich, Gretchen Democratic Yea
Finley-DeVille, Lisa Democratic Yea
Foss, Austin Democratic Yea
Hager, LaurieBeth Democratic Yea
Hanson, Karla Rose Democratic Yea
Ista, Zachary Democratic Yea
Mitskog, Alisa Democratic Not Voting
Schneider, Mary Democratic Yea
Anderson, Bert Republican Yea
Anderson, Dick Republican Yea
Anderson, Karen A. Republican Yea
Bahl, Landon Republican Yea
Beltz, Mike Republican Yea
Berg, Mike Republican Yea
Bolinske, Macy Republican Yea
Bosch, Glenn Republican Yea
Brandenburg, Mike Republican Yea
Christianson, Nels Republican Yea
Dockter, Jason Republican Yea
Dressler, Ty Republican Yea
Fegley, Clayton Republican Yea
Fisher, Jay Republican Yea
Frelich, Kathy Republican Yea
Grindberg, Karen Republican Yea
Grueneich, Jim Republican Yea
Hagert, Jared C. Republican Yea
Hatlestad, Patrick R. Republican Yea
Hauck, Dori Republican Yea
Headland, Craig Republican Yea
Heilman, Matthew Republican Yea
Heinert, Pat D. Republican Yea
Henderson, Donna Republican Yea
Hendrix, Jared Republican Yea
Holle, Dawson Republican Yea
Hoverson, Jeff Republican Yea
Johnson, Jorin Republican Yea
Johnston, Daniel Republican Yea
Jonas, Jim Republican Yea
Karls, Karen Republican Yea
Kasper, Jim Republican Yea
Kempenich, Keith Republican Yea
Kiefert, Dwight Republican Yea
Klemin, Lawrence R. Republican Not Voting
Koppelman, Ben Republican Yea
Lefor, Mike Republican Yea
Longmuir, Donald W. Republican Yea
Louser, Scott Republican Yea
Maki, Roger A. Republican Yea
Marschall, Andrew Republican Yea
Martinson, Bob Republican Yea
McLeod, Carrie Republican Yea
Meier, Lisa Republican Yea
Monson, David Republican Yea
Morton, Desiree Republican Yea
Motschenbacher, Mike Republican Yea
Murphy, Eric J. Republican Yea
Nathe, Mike Republican Yea
Nehring, Dennis Republican Yea
Nelson, Jon O. Republican Yea
Novak, Anna S. Republican Yea
O'Brien, Emily Republican Yea
Olson, Jeremy Republican Yea
Osowski, Doug Republican Yea
Ostlie, Mitch Republican Yea
Porter, Todd Republican Yea
Pyle, Brandy L. Republican Yea
Richter, David Republican Yea
Rios, Nico Republican Yea
Rohr, Karen M. Republican Yea
Ruby, Dan Republican Yea
Ruby, Matthew Republican Not Voting
Sanford, Mark Republican Yea
Satrom, Bernie Republican Yea
Schatz, Mike Republican Yea
Schauer, Austen Republican Yea
Schreiber-Beck, Cynthia Republican Yea
Steiner, Vicky Republican Yea
Stemen, Gregory Republican Yea
Swiontek, Steve Republican Yea
Toman, Nathan Republican Yea
Tveit, Bill Republican Yea
VanWinkle, Lori Republican Yea
Vetter, Steve Republican Yea
Vigesaa, Don Republican Yea
Vollmer, Daniel R. Republican Yea
Wagner, Scott Republican Yea
Warrey, Jonathan Republican Yea
Weisz, Robin Republican Yea
Wolff, Christina Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety healthcare education
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 1556 do?
AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 5 of section 27-20.3-01, and sections 27-20.3-15 and 27-20.3-21 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a child in need of protection and termination of parental rights; to create a workgroup under the children's cabinet to study out-of-home placement or treatment of children with behavioral health issues; to provide for a report; to provide an expiration date; and to declare an emergency.
Who sponsors HB 1556?
HB 1556 is sponsored by Stemen, Gregory (Republican), Beltz, Mike (Republican), Nelson, Jon O. (Republican), O'Brien, Emily (Republican), Ostlie, Mitch (Republican), Dockter, Jason (Republican), Hagert, Jared C. (Republican), Sen. Davison, Kyle, Sen. Lee, Judy, and Jim P. Roers.
What is the current status of HB 1556?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 20, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 1556?
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