North Dakota Legislature: Bills involving officer-involved shootings, paid family leave fail

(Bismarck, ND) -- Several decisions are coming down on bills that are drawing attention in Bismarck as the legislative session continues.

A North Dakota House bill that would have kept the names of police officers involved in shootings private is dead.

The House killed the bill Monday, which would also have made the addresses and phone numbers of defendants confidential during a trial or appeal. Under the bill, the names of officers involved in "critical incidents" would have stayed private until an internal investigation was completed. Supporters say the bill would have helped protect defendants from unwanted solicitation and officers from being harassed.

Meanwhile, the North Dakota Senate is rejecting a bill that would have commissioned a study on implementing a paid family leave program in the state.

The State and Local Government committee heard testimony recently on what the program would look like if it was implemented. Supporters say the benefits affect everyone from mothers and infants to those caring for older family members.

A bill that would eliminate the sales tax on diapers is headed to the North Dakota Senate appropriations committee. The Senate passed the bill Monday, which would cost the state one-and-three quarter million dollars in revenue over the next two years. Supporters say similar exemptions exist in over 20 other states.

And finally, the State Senate is rejecting a bill that would have required students to submit written parental permission to participate in school activities.

The bill was killed by senators Monday. Supporters say the bill would have been a gain for parental rights, while opponents say the bill would have been a burden.