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BISMARCK — North Dakota legislators are pursuing legislation that would limit transgender people in bathrooms and K-12 and higher education athletics, a recent national trend.
West Fargo Republican Rep. Ben Koppelman supports House Bill 1489, which would restrict transgender people from participating in athletics at North Dakota colleges and universities.
The bill is similar to House Bill 1249, which restricts transgender K-12 athletes, and follows a 2021 bill that Gov. Doug Bulgham vetoed and failed. Koppelmann challenged 1249 to be anti-transgender and said it would ensure fairness in women’s sport. He called his 1489 the “sister bill” of his 1249.
“Across the country, there are a lot of problems with college sports as well as high school sports,” Koppelman told the Tribune. “There have been some successful lawsuits against opportunities being lost by women competing with women who are biologically male. It’s about equality in higher education.”
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Neither of Koppelman’s bills are scheduled for public hearings.
Rep. Suan Olson (R-Baldwin) supports House Bill 1473. The bill would require designated toilets and showers for men and women in correctional facilities, prisons, domestic violence and sexual assault organization facilities, college and university living facilities, and public schools. .
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Olson said the bill’s intent was women’s privacy and safety.
She told the Tribune, “There are many examples across the country where women are not safe,” and that women were “challenged by people who may be dressed as women and used those facilities.” There are,’ he said.
The bill allows, but does not require, “reasonable accommodation” for persons who are “transgender or gender nonconforming.” Olson said it could be a bathroom with a different purpose or “whatever is appropriate for the situation.”
The bill would also restrict K-12 transgender athletes, which Olson said could be amended by 1249.
Olson’s bill is not scheduled for a public hearing.
Billy Joe Lourius, spokeswoman for the University of North Dakota System, said 1473 and 1489 were “recently introduced, giving lawyers an opportunity to look at them and see how they might affect institutions of higher education.” Until then, we will not have a stance.”
Gender identity has emerged as a legal topic for this session, with numerous bills restricting personal expression, health care and activity.
Supporters of the bill say their efforts are to protect children and ensure fairness in women’s sport. Opponents have denounced the bill as discriminatory and harmful.
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