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House narrowly rejects bill to require parental opt‑in for school surveys, 40‑44
Summary
Senate Bill 21‑05, which would have limited third‑party surveys in K‑12 schools and required parents to opt in before their children participate, failed after extensive floor debate (40 yeas, 44 nays); committee had recommended do not pass (8‑6).
The North Dakota House on March 19 failed to pass Senate Bill 21‑05, a measure that would have restricted administration of surveys to K‑12 students by requiring parental review and written opt‑in authorization and by prohibiting third‑party surveys in schools except those conducted by the Department of Public Instruction.
The Education Committee reported the bill to the floor with a "do not pass" recommendation by an 8‑6 vote. On the floor, proponents argued the bill restores parental control and prevents schools from presenting intimate or intrusive questions to minors without explicit permission; opponents said the measure would hamper research, public‑health monitoring and grant applications that rely on population data.
Representative Schreiber (floor sponsor) summarized the bill’s key elements: the bill defines a survey as a written document completed by the student and excludes teacher‑ or administrator‑approved classroom assessments; it bars third parties from surveying students in schools other than the Department of Public Instruction; and it would require a written parental opt‑in before a student could participate.
Supporters said parents should be notified and given the opportunity to review survey questions before their children are asked sensitive questions in class. "Consider your children and your grandchildren, unbeknownst to you, taking a survey that's asking them these very, very personal questions," Representative Martin said, reading sample questions and urging an opt‑in approach.
Opponents, including Representative Schreiber Beck and other lawmakers, warned the bill’s restrictions would curtail data collection used by schools, public‑health agencies and researchers to track trends, measure program effectiveness and secure federal and private grant funding. Representative Murphy and others noted public‑health uses such as tracking teen substance use and suicide prevention efforts rely on survey data.
After extended debate, the clerk closed the roll and announced a final vote of 40 ayes and 44 nays; the bill failed. The floor record shows members on both sides urged caution and emphasized parental involvement, data privacy, and the public‑health value of student surveys.
