North DakotaNorth Dakota law covers some robot harassment and stalking
North Dakota law covers robot use in harassment and stalking cases, including some offensive conduct and unauthorized tracking that causes reasonable fear.
What it does
Using a robot for offensive conduct with no legitimate purpose is harassment when the person intends to frighten or harass someone.
Stalking includes certain repeated conduct involving a robot, or unauthorized robot tracking, when it causes reasonable fear, intimidation, or harassment and serves no legitimate purpose.
Argument forPeople targeted by threatening robot use or unauthorized tracking could have clearer grounds to report conduct that causes reasonable fear or distress.
Argument againstThe phrase “offensive conduct” could leave people unsure when robot use with no legitimate purpose becomes a crime.
More detail
A person commits harassment by using a robot for offensive conduct with no legitimate purpose and intending to frighten or harass someone. A robot means an artificial object or system that senses, processes, and acts using technology; it includes remotely piloted aircraft. The person must intend to frighten or harass another person.
A person may not intentionally stalk another person, including through certain conduct involving a robot or unauthorized robot tracking. The course of conduct must target a specific person or that person's immediate family. Unauthorized tracking means tracking a person's movements or location without permission. A course of conduct must serve no legitimate purpose and cause a reasonable person to feel fear, intimidation, or harassment. Unauthorized tracking must also meet that standard and serve no legitimate purpose. A course of conduct includes an act with a robot under the person's direct control. Constitutionally protected activity is excluded.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Apr 24Filed with Secretary Of State 04/22Latest
- Apr 23Signed by Governor Kelly Armstrong 04/21Became Law
- Apr 21Sent to GovernorTo Governor
- Apr 21Signed by Speaker
- Apr 17Signed by President
- Apr 15Second reading, passed, yeas 91 nays 0Major
- Vote recorded Motion for Final Passage on HB 1429. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 15Concurred
- Apr 7Returned to House (12)
- Apr 4Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 45 nays 0Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Motion for Final Passage on HB 1429. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 2Amendment adopted, placed on calendar
- Apr 1Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 6 0 0Minor
- Mar 20Committee Hearing 11:15
- Mar 7Introduced, first reading, referred Agriculture and Veterans Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Feb 25Received from House
- Feb 24Second reading, passed, yeas 91 nays 0Passed House
- Vote recorded Motion for Final Passage on HB 1429. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 21Amendment adopted, placed on calendar
- Feb 20Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 13 0 1Minor
- Jan 24Committee Hearing 08:30
- Jan 13Introduced, first reading, referred Agriculture CommitteeIntroduced
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