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HB 1097

AN ACT to provide for a legislative management study regarding accessibility of government services for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have hearing differences.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Kathy Frelich

Legislative Management must study accessibility of state/local government services for deaf/hard of hearing, report findings and recommended legislation to the 70th Assembly.

Filed with Secretary Of State 03/20
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Bill Summary · HB 1097

HB 1097 — Legislative management study on accessibility of government services for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have hearing differences (North Dakota)

Status: Enacted (Legislative actions indicate passage by both chambers and filing with the Secretary of State on March 20, 2025; later referenced as Act 540)
Introduced: November 12, 2024 (introduced in the House; enrollment documents list Representative Frelich as sponsor)

Main purpose

Require the Legislative Management to conduct a study (during the 2025–26 interim) into how accessible state and local government services are for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have other hearing differences, and to report findings and recommended legislation to the 70th Legislative Assembly.

Key provisions

  • Directs the Legislative Management to study accessibility of state and local services for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have hearing differences during the 2025–26 interim.
  • The study must:
    • Consider federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for effective communication by government entities.
    • Identify challenges and barriers to effective communication (both receiving information from and conveying information to government entities).
    • Identify strategies to improve communication and accessibility.
  • Required stakeholder input: the study must include perspectives from the Department of Labor and Human Rights, Department of Health and Human Services, employees of the School for the Deaf, individuals who are deaf/hard of hearing or have hearing differences, IT professionals, American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, and family members.
  • Deliverable: a written report of findings and recommendations, including any draft legislation needed to implement recommendations, to be submitted to the 70th Legislative Assembly.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: individuals in the state who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have hearing differences.
  • Impacted entities: state and local government agencies and service providers (required to evaluate and potentially change communication practices), the School for the Deaf, ASL interpreters, IT and accessibility service providers, and advocacy groups.
  • Fiscal impact: the bill does not specify funding for implementation of recommendations; costs would depend on recommendations (e.g., interpreter contracts, technology upgrades, staff training).

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Study period: the 2025–26 legislative interim.
  • Report due: to the 70th Legislative Assembly (timing tied to the interim study cycle).
  • Next steps: the Legislative Management’s report may include proposed statutory changes; any resulting legislation would require separate consideration and appropriation.

Potential impacts

  • Could produce concrete recommendations to improve communication access (procedural changes, staff training, procurement of assistive technologies, expanded interpreter services).
  • May prompt agency rule or policy updates and possible budget requests in future sessions to fund accessibility improvements.
  • Aligns state practice with ADA obligations and could reduce communication barriers for a significant constituency.

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

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