WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 1200

AN ACT to amend and reenact section 15.1-21-02.2 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the waiver and substitution of one unit required for high school graduation under emergent circumstances.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Macy Bolinske and 11 co-sponsors

ND HB 1200 lets districts waive or substitute one high school unit for emergent circumstances and adds a computer science/cybersecurity unit, waivable via an approved plan.

Filed with Secretary Of State 03/27
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1200

Summary — HB 1200 (North Dakota)

AN ACT to amend and reenact section 15.1-21-02.2, N.D.C.C. — Waiver/substitution of one high‑school unit under emergent circumstances

Purpose / Intent

The bill clarifies and expands local flexibility for meeting North Dakota’s minimum 22‑unit high school graduation requirement by authorizing school boards (public and nonpublic) to permit a substitution or waiver of no more than one unit when a student demonstrates an “emergent circumstance.” It also updates the statewide minimum course framework effective after July 31, 2025 to explicitly include a computer science/cybersecurity unit and provides how that requirement may be satisfied or waived.

Key provisions

  • Restates the state minimum graduation plan (22 units) and the specific subject‑area units (English, math, science, social studies, PE/health, world language/fine arts/CTE, five additional units).
  • For requirements effective after July 31, 2025:
    • Adds a required one unit of computer science or cybersecurity (may be included under math or science or as an additional unit).
    • Allows the computer science/cybersecurity requirement to be waived if the student completes a school board‑approved computer science and cybersecurity integration plan.
  • Local options (school district or nonpublic school boards), if approved by their board, may:
    • Allow a passing score on relevant portions of the GED assessment to satisfy portions of the English/math/science/social‑studies requirements.
    • Establish a policy to grant credit for no more than one unit under the 22‑unit requirement by allowing an alternative course (including an elective or a dual‑credit course) where a student demonstrates an emergent circumstance.
  • The waiver/substitution authority is limited to one unit and requires local board approval and any local eligibility/programmatic criteria the board adopts.

Who is affected

  • High school students who face emergent circumstances (e.g., sudden illness, family emergency, other urgent events) and are unable to complete a required course sequence.
  • School boards and district/nonpublic school administrators (responsible for adopting eligibility rules, integration plans, and substitution policies).
  • Guidance/counseling and registrar staff (administration of credits, GED acceptance, and documentation).

Impact and considerations

  • Intended to provide targeted flexibility to help students graduate despite disruptive events while preserving a rigorous statewide minimum.
  • Limits: substitution is restricted to one unit; “emergent circumstance” is not defined in statute — local boards set criteria, producing variation across districts.
  • Operational effects are primarily administrative (policy development, documenting approvals); no major statewide fiscal impact specified in the bill text.
  • The computer science/cybersecurity addition may require districts to ensure availability of appropriate courses or approved integrated plans for waiver.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced: November 12, 2024.
  • Committee action: Education Committee adopted proposed amendments (reported Jan 21, 2025).
  • Floor action: Passed both chambers (House and Senate recorded unanimous/near‑unanimous floor votes in the enrolled bill text).
  • Status reported: Filed with the Secretary of State on March 27, 2025.

If you want, I can:
- Extract the exact draft language for the emergent‑circumstance policy to help draft a model local board policy, or
- Compare this bill with current district policies to show likely changes needed for compliance.

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

Sign in to ask a question.