ERA backers hope to save 1975 ratification as effort to declare it void moves to the House
Brayden Zenker
BISMARCK – After defeat in the Senate, supporters of North Dakota’s 1975 ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution plan to continue the fight in the House of Representatives.
SCR 4010 declares that state ratification of the ERA 46 years ago was only valid through 1979, the deadline set by Congress. Ratification by 38 states was required, but only 35 states had approved the amendment by that date.
The Senate vote Feb. 22 was 29-17 for passage of the resolution.
Thomasine Heitkamp, president of ERA NOW, a Facebook group that advocates for the ratification and adoption of the ERA, said they and other advocacy groups plan to lobby House members to reject the resolution.
Legislative Review 2-19-21: Representative Zac Ista prairiepublic.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from prairiepublic.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
As currently written, the bill would apply retroactively to any employee who was killed in the line duty since Jan. 1, 2010. The bill would extend benefits to five North Dakota families at this time.
As currently written, the bill would apply retroactively to any employee who was killed in the line duty since Jan. 1, 2010. The bill would extend benefits to five North Dakota families at this time.
Our view: North Dakota, pass HB 1435 so we can protect the families of those who protect us
Last week, two North Dakota organizations rose in support of HB 1435. The Chiefs of Police Association of North Dakota and the North Dakota League of Cities both back the bill and have testified in favor of it.
Written By:
Herald editorial board | 6:00 am, Feb. 3, 2021 ×
Ten North Dakota police officers and six firefighters have died in the line of duty since 1985. That’s one death every two years or so.
It means that every couple of years, on average, another tragedy occurs: Family members who depended on that first-responder’s health insurance suddenly find themselves without a health care plan and are forced to make a costly and potentially confusing commitment during a traumatic and uncertain time.