North Dakota Senate Bill SB2199

North Dakota 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/10/23
• Refer: 1/10/23
• Report DNP: 1/18/23

Caption

Gender usage in the North Dakota Century Code; and to provide a penalty.

Impact

Should SB2199 be enacted, it will amend existing law to specify how gender is referenced in legal contexts, which may affect various statutes and regulations across the state. The changes could standardize terminology related to gender, thereby influencing legal interpretations and applications in courts. However, it is also expected that such changes could raise questions about the implications for existing laws and their enforcement, particularly in cases dealing with gender discrimination or equal rights.

Summary

SB2199 introduces provisions regarding the usage of gender within the North Dakota Century Code. The primary objective of this bill is to establish clear guidelines around gender references in legal texts. Supporters argue that this legislation is necessary to address inconsistencies and ambiguities currently present in the law, which can lead to misinterpretation in legal proceedings. The bill represents a move toward creating a more inclusive legal framework that adequately reflects the diversity of gender identities in society.

Contention

The bill has faced notable opposition primarily based on concerns about its implications for freedom of expression and the potential operational burdens it may impose on state agencies tasked with updating legal documents. Critics argue that mandating specific gender usage could lead to bureaucratic challenges and a slippery slope of further regulations on personal identity. Furthermore, there are concerns about the penalties outlined in the bill, with detractors fearing that punitive measures might infringe on individual rights and freedoms undesirably.