Lawmakers debate parental opt‑in for school health surveys as public‑health agencies warn of data loss

The House Education Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2105, which would require a parent or guardian to review a copy of any written survey administered to K‑12 students and to provide written authorization before a student may participate. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Todd Beard, specifically targets third‑party health and behavior surveys such as the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS).

Beard told the committee the bill preserves parental authority over sensitive questions and prevents third parties from surveying students without parental consent. He said the parental opt‑in would not block surveys entirely but would require parents to "authorize in writing" a child's participation after reviewing the survey. Beard noted the YRBS material supplied to schools lists a goal of 95–100 percent participation for valid state and national estimates and said that goal appears inconsistent with current opt‑out practices.

Public‑health and education witnesses cautioned against a mandatory opt‑in. Dr. Tracy Miller, North Dakota state epidemiologist and director of the Health and Human Services section that manages survey activity, told the…