WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 2355

A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 15.1-21 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to intelligent design in science content standards for elementary and secondary students.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Todd Beard and 5 co-sponsors

ND would require adding intelligent design to K-12 science standards by Aug 1, 2027, with teaching materials and in-service training asserting ID as viable science.

Second reading, failed to pass, yeas 22 nays 25
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 2355

Summary — SB 2355 (North Dakota, 2025)

Status: Introduced March 12, 2025; Second reading — failed to pass (yeas 22, nays 25)

Note: The materials provided include text from other bills with the same number in other states. This summary covers the North Dakota bill described as “a new section to chapter 15.1‑21 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to intelligent design in science content standards.”

Main purpose

Require the North Dakota superintendent of public instruction to add “intelligent design” to the statewide K–12 science content standards and to supply instructional materials and in‑service training asserting intelligent design is a viable scientific theory for the origin of life.

Key provisions

  • Creates a new section in chapter 15.1‑21 NDCC titled “Intelligent design — Required science content standard.”
  • Directs the superintendent of public instruction to include intelligent design in state science content standards for elementary, middle, and high school students by August 1, 2027.
  • Requires the superintendent to provide teachers with instructional materials that demonstrate intelligent design is a viable scientific theory for the creation of all life forms.
  • Requires in‑service training for teachers necessary to include intelligent design as part of the science content standards.

Who would be affected

  • Superintendent of Public Instruction: responsible for revising standards, creating/providing materials and training.
  • Public K–12 schools, districts, curriculum developers and textbook vendors: required to incorporate the revised standards and instructional resources.
  • Teachers: required to receive training and to teach intelligent design as part of science standards.
  • Students and parents across public elementary, middle, and high schools in North Dakota.

Timeline and procedural status

  • Introduced: March 12, 2025.
  • Implementation deadline in text: August 1, 2027 (for inclusion in standards).
  • Legislative outcome: Failed to advance on second reading (vote recorded as 22 yeas, 25 nays).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Curriculum and assessment: statewide science standards, curricula, teacher preparation, and instructional materials would need revision; potential downstream effects on state assessments.
  • Costs: the bill mandates materials development and in‑service training; the bill text does not specify funding or appropriation sources.
  • Legal and policy issues: inclusion of intelligent design in public school science standards has been legally and politically contentious elsewhere. Legal precedents (e.g., Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District, 2005) found teaching intelligent design as science in public schools unconstitutional under the U.S. Constitution’s Establishment Clause. If enacted, the provision could prompt legal challenges and controversy among educators, scientists, parents, and civil‑liberties groups.
  • Scientific community perspective: the mainstream scientific community regards intelligent design as lacking scientific support and not a scientific theory; this contrast may affect teacher professional judgment and student science education quality.

Sponsors and related legislation

  • Sponsors listed in the bill packet for this ND version: Senators Dwyer, Beard, Hogue; Representatives Schreiber‑Beck, Lefor, Rohr.
  • A companion bill is noted as HB 2415.
  • (Other text in the supplied materials appears to reference unrelated bills in other states and is not part of this North Dakota measure.)

If you want, I can prepare a side‑by‑side comparison with relevant legal precedent (e.g., Kitzmiller v. Dover) or draft likely budgetary implications based on typical costs for standards revision and statewide teacher training.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.