North Dakota Governor Signs Major Education, Health Legislation

North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong has recently enacted several significant laws affecting public health, education, and civil liberties. Armstrong signed a 'bell-to-bell' ban on student cellphone use in public K-12 schools, aiming to address mental health concerns and improve academic focus by requiring devices to be stowed away during school hours, with funding available for secure storage solutions. He also approved legislation allowing medical cannabis patients to access edible products, expanding options beyond botanical forms and tinctures. Another new law streamlines the health insurance prior authorization process, setting deadlines for insurer responses and mandating medical review of denials to prevent care delays. Armstrong vetoed a bill that would have imposed stricter regulations on sexually explicit content in libraries, citing concerns over censorship and burdens on educators, while also responding to public opposition. Additionally, he signed the North Dakota Med Ed bill, which mandates education for medical professionals to ensure pregnant women receive emergency care under the state's abortion laws and combats abortion-related misinformation.