North Dakota legislation · 69th Legislative Assembly
North Dakota HB1561: AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 51-07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a commercial entity's liability for publishing or distributing sexual material harmful to a minor; to provide a penalty; and to provide for application.
Status: Signed into law, April 14, 2025
Relating to a commercial entity's liability for publishing or distributing sexual material harmful to a minor; to provide a penalty; and to provide for application.
What the bill says
An act to create and enact a new section to chapter 51-07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a commercial entity's liability for publishing or distributing sexual material harmful to a minor; to provide a penalty; and to provide for application.
From the enrolled text, April 3, 2025:
AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 51-07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a commercial entity's liability for publishing or distributing sexual material harmful to a minor; to provide a penalty; and to provide for application. SECTION 1. A new section to chapter 51-07 of the North Dakota Century Code is created and enacted as follows: Liability for publishing or distributing sexual material harmful to minors - Age verification requirement - Damages . 1. As used in this section: a. "Commercial entity" includes a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, sole proprietorship, or other legally recognized business entity. b. "Distribute" means to issue, sell, give, provide, deliver, transfer, transmute, circulate, or disseminate by any means. c. "Minor" means an individual under eighteen years of age. d. "News-gathering organization" means an employee of a: (1) Newspaper, news publication, or news source, printed or on an online or mobile platform, of current news and public interest, who is acting within the scope of employment and can provide documentation of employment with the newspaper, news publication, or news source; or (2) Radio broadcast station, television broadcast station, cable television operator, or wire service, who is acting within the scope of employment and can provide documentation of employment with the radio broadcast station, television broadcast station, …
Sponsors
- Steve Swiontek (R, 10) · primary sponsor
- Michelle Axtman (R, 7)
- Glenn Bosch (R, 30)
- Jay Fisher (R, 5)
- Kathy Hogan (D, 21)
- Karen Karls (R, 35)
- Judy Lee (R, 13)
- Janne Myrdal (R, 19)
- Jon Nelson (R, 14)
- Anna Novak (R, 33)
- Brandy Pyle (R, 22)
Latest actions
- : Filed with Secretary Of State 04/11
- : Signed by Governor 04/10
- : Sent to Governor
- : Signed by Speaker
- : Signed by President
- : Returned to House
- : Second reading, passed, yeas 46 nays 0
- : Laid over one legislative day
- : Reported back, do pass, place on calendar 5 0 0
- : Committee Hearing 02:30
Votes
- Final Passage (April 1, 2025): 46 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Final Passage (February 7, 2025): 91 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB1561?
- HB1561 is a bill in the North Dakota Legislature (69th Legislative Assembly): AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 51-07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a commercial entity's liability for publishing or distributing sexual material harmful to a minor; to provide a penalty; and to provide for application.
- What does HB1561 do?
- In its own words: An act to create and enact a new section to chapter 51-07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a commercial entity's liability for publishing or distributing sexual material harmful to a minor; to provide a penalty; and to provide for application.
- What is the status of HB1561?
- Signed into law as of April 14, 2025. Latest action: Filed with Secretary Of State 04/11 (April 14, 2025).
- Who sponsored HB1561?
- Steve Swiontek (R, 10), with 10 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1561?
- On the North Dakota Legislature website: https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/bill-overview/bo1561.html
Source: official North Dakota record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.