North Dakota House Bill HB1201

North Dakota 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/23
• Refer: 1/9/23
• Report DNP: 1/25/23

Caption

Prohibiting a state entity from employing an individual under contract with a school district.

Impact

If HB1201 is enacted, it will add a new provision to the North Dakota Century Code, addressing the hiring restrictions for state entities. This change will require state agencies to obtain permission before engaging contracted school employees, which could significantly impact staffing processes within educational institutions. The bill is designed to uphold the contractual obligations of individuals working in schools, ensuring that their current agreements are honored and not interfered with by state employment opportunities.

Summary

House Bill 1201 aims to regulate the employment practices of state entities with respect to individuals who are under contract with school districts. Specifically, the bill prohibits a state agency, department, institution, or political subdivision from entering into a contract for employment with a contracted employee of a school district without consent from the school district board or the superintendent. This legislation seeks to prevent conflicts of interest and breaches of contract that could arise when state entities hire individuals still contracted with schools, thereby protecting the integrity of school district agreements.

Contention

Notably, the passage of HB1201 faced significant opposition in the House, evidenced by the voting history where the bill received only 1 affirmative vote against 91 opposing votes during its second reading on January 26, 2023. Critics of the bill may argue that such restrictions could limit employment opportunities for individuals and discourage valuable expertise from transitioning into state roles. The legislation raises questions about balancing state employment needs with the contractual rights of employees within school districts.