BISMARCK – The North Dakota State Senate defeated a bill Wednesday that proposed giving parents the right to attend activities their children are participating in.
Senate Bill 2356 prohibits schools and private entities from barring parents of minors from attending activities their child is participating in.
The sponsor of the bill, Sen. David Rust, R-Dis. 2, Tioga, said during COVID parents were barred from attending activities in which their child was involved.
“It’s a parental rights bill,” said Rust. “This doesn't apply to classroom attendance. I’m really hoping that this bill will never need to be employed.”
Sen. Kyle Davison, R-Dis. 41, Fargo, said he isn’t sure why the bill is necessary.
“We elect local school board officials, school board officials hire the superintendent, the superintendent is responsible for the safety of the children,” said Davison. “They understand their school district. They work with parents. I think we need to leave it in the hands of elected school board officials. They know what’s best for their school.”
The bill failed by a vote of 29 to 17.
