North Dakota’s new law banning gender-neutral restrooms in public schools is drawing fierce backlash, with critics calling it a direct threat to transgender students’ safety and privacy.
At a Glance
- Gender-neutral bathrooms banned in public K–12 schools
- Parents can file complaints triggering state investigations
- Schools face $2,500 fines for each violation
- Exceptions granted for pre-2025 facilities and single-use restrooms
New Restrictions on Restroom Access
Governor Kelly Armstrong signed House Bill 1144 into law on May 1, 2025, reaffirming and expanding a 2023 statute that limits restroom access based on biological sex. The law bars the construction or designation of multi-stall gender-neutral bathrooms in public schools and requires that all such facilities be labeled exclusively for male or female use, as reported by KFGO.
While single-occupancy, unisex restrooms remain permissible, existing gender-neutral facilities built before July 1, 2025, are exempt. The measure also reaffirms that schools cannot require students or staff to use pronouns that differ from a person’s sex assigned at birth, according to LifeSiteNews.
Watch KFGO’s report on the incident at North Dakota governor signs bill to enforce one-gender bathroom policy for K-12 schools.
Enforcement Measures and Parental Oversight
The law empowers parents to take legal action if a school is found in violation of the policy. Complaints can be escalated to the state Attorney General’s office, which may impose fines of up to $2,500 per infraction, according to North Dakota Monitor.
Additionally, HB 1144 requires schools to notify parents when a student identifies as transgender. Supporters say this promotes transparency, but opponents warn it could effectively “out” students without their consent, raising privacy and safety concerns.
Lawmakers Defend the Bill
Republican lawmakers behind the legislation say the bill ensures compliance with state laws and strengthens parental rights. Senator Randy Lemm, R-Hillsboro, said it “reinforces the message that our laws are not arbitrary or without meaning,” as quoted by KFGO.
Representative SuAnn Olson, R-Baldwin, called the measure “common sense” and “scientifically honest,” insisting that school policies must reflect biological reality, according to LifeSiteNews.
Pushback from Advocacy Groups
LGBTQ+ advocates argue the bill marginalizes transgender and intersex students, forcing them into unsafe or stigmatizing restroom choices. Critics told North Dakota Monitor that the policy undermines both safety and inclusivity, particularly for vulnerable youth already at elevated risk for bullying and suicide.
Though some temporary exceptions exist—such as during school events or for students needing assistance due to disabilities—the bill’s broader implications are raising alarms nationwide.
Wider Context and National Trends
North Dakota now joins over a dozen states with similar legislation restricting restroom access for transgender individuals in public schools. As of 2025, at least 16 states have passed comparable laws, according to reporting by LifeSiteNews.
Governor Armstrong, who supported the 2022 Respect for Marriage Act, has since backed a series of bills curbing transgender rights in education—prompting speculation that his stance reflects a strategic alignment with national conservative priorities.
Watch KFGO’s report on the incident at North Dakota governor signs bill to enforce one-gender bathroom policy for K-12 schools.
