ND HB1266

Students may decline to participate in or observe dissection, vivisection, incubation, infliction of harm, capture, destruction, surgery, invasive procedures, experiments, or termination of life as part of any course of study involving animals.

Students who decline participation must be provided a comparable alternative education project using methods such as videos, models, films, computers, or live observation to learn required course content.

Students cannot be penalized, discriminated against, or removed from class for refusing participation; alternative assessments must be offered if the graded assessment requires dissection or dissected animals.

Alternative education projects must require no more time or effort than the declined activity and must be assessed using comparable grading methods.

The superintendent of public instruction shall notify schools in writing at the beginning of each school year of student refusal rights and may adopt rules to administer this section.