North Dakota will not force teachers to use students’ ‘preferred pronouns’

The Senate passed a bill prohibiting transgender students from using the bathroom of their choice without the approval of a parent or legal guardian. The legislation also requires teachers to inform parents if their child identifies as transgender, Fox News reports.

The bill was passed with a veto-proof majority in both chambers of the legislature, meaning it can become law without the governor's approval. Republican lawmakers say the legislation is consistent with the governor's views that parents should be involved in these situations.

However, not all Republicans are in favor of the bill. Republican Rep. Cynthia Schreiber-Beck said she opposes the bill because it doesn't go far enough, adding that private schools receiving state and federal funding should be included in the measure too. "I have a real concern that this is only targeted at public schools," she said.

Earlier this month, legislation was signed into North Dakota law prohibiting transgender children and adults from accessing bathrooms, locker rooms or showers in dormitories of state-run colleges and correctional facilities that don't align with their biological sex. Another bill makes it a crime to provide minors with healthcare based on their gender identities.

A third one bars transgender girls and women from joining female sports teams in grade school and college.

Burgum did veto a similar bill in March that would have allowed teachers and government entities to ignore personal pronouns. Senate voted to override his veto, but the House decided to let the veto stand. The current bill was drafted by the Senate days later by adding the bit about ignoring pronouns into a legislation regulating bathroom access in schools.