Summary — SB 2300 (North Dakota)
Title: An Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 15.1‑06 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the mandatory secure storage of a student's personal electronic device during the schoolday; and to provide an appropriation.
Status note: The materials provided contain mixed and inconsistent legislative records (including text from an unrelated Illinois bill with the same number). According to the header information you supplied, this North Dakota SB 2300 was introduced March 11, 2025 and recorded as “Second reading, failed to pass, yeas 2 nays 45.” Please verify the current official status with the North Dakota Legislative Assembly website or the Secretary of State for final confirmation.
Purpose and intent
- To require schools to provide secure storage for students’ personal electronic devices during the schoolday and to standardize how devices are handled while at school.
- To fund the purchase and distribution of the required secure containers through a state appropriation to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Key provisions
- New NDCC section (chapter 15.1‑06) created with definitions and requirements.
- Definition: “Personal electronic device” means a student‑owned device capable of transmitting voice, text, or data — examples listed include cell phones, tablets, laptops, smart watches, and gaming devices.
- Superintendent duty: The Superintendent of Public Instruction must provide schools with secure containers to store each student’s device for the duration of the schoolday.
- Student obligations:
- On arrival, students must turn off their personal device.
- Students must place the device in the school’s secure container for storage during the schoolday.
- Students may retain possession of the secure container while at school (i.e., the container accompanies them as needed).
- Devices are released back to the student at the end of the schoolday.
- Medical exception: A principal may permit a student to access their device during the schoolday for medical reasons if the parent/guardian provides documentation certified by a medical provider demonstrating medical necessity.
- Appropriation: $1,890,000 is appropriated from the state general fund to the Superintendent of Public Instruction for providing secure storage containers to schools for the biennium July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027.
Who is affected
- Primary: Students enrolled in North Dakota public schools (K–12).
- Secondary: School districts, school administrators (superintendents and principals), teachers, staff, and parents/guardians.
- Fiscal: State budget for the 2025–27 biennium (one‑time or biennial expenditure of $1,890,000 to procure storage containers and distribute them).
Potential impacts and considerations
- Operational: Districts will need to integrate new arrival/collection procedures and manage storage logistics (container allocation, labeling, security, supervision).
- Instructional: Reduces in‑school access to personal devices, potentially limiting distraction but also restricting legitimate educational uses unless schools provide alternate devices or arrangements.
- Equity and logistics: Schools must ensure sufficient containers and address students who need frequent device access for documented medical reasons or other accommodations.
- Privacy/security: Policies should address chain of custody, loss/theft, damage, and whether devices are secured centrally or remain with students in portable locked containers.
- Fiscal: The appropriation covers container procurement for the biennium; ongoing replacement/maintenance costs may fall to districts.
Implementation/timing
- Appropriation period specified: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027.
- Superintendent is directed to procure/provide containers; the bill text does not specify additional reporting, timelines for delivery, or enforcement mechanisms beyond the statutory duties described.
Recommendation
- Verify final status of the bill (passage, veto, or failure) with official legislative records due to inconsistent materials provided.
- If enacted, districts should prepare implementation plans covering procurement receipt, student/parent communications, medical exception procedures, and device‑loss liability policies.
