25.3111.
01000
Sixty-ninth
Legislative Assembly CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO.
of North Dakota
Introduced by
Representative Rios
1 A concurrent resolution directing the Legislative Management to consider studying the feasibility
2 of establishing mandatory reporting requirements for public officials, an investigative body for
3 allegations of child exploitation and abuse involving public officials, and severe penalties for
4 public officials who engage in, enable, or conceal child exploitation.
5 WHEREAS, the protection of children and vulnerable populations is a fundamental
6 responsibility of government; and
7 WHEREAS, individuals entrusted with positions of leadership and authority bear a greater
8 responsibility to uphold justice and protect the vulnerable, as noted in Luke 12:48, "From
9 everyone who has been given so much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has
10 been entrusted with much, much more will be asked"; and
11 WHEREAS, child exploitation, abuse, and trafficking are among the most heinous crimes,
12 as noted in Mathew 18:6, "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it
13 were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in
14 the depth of the sea"; and
15 WHEREAS, a public official who participates in, enables, or knowingly conceals child
16 exploitation has betrayed his or her oath of office, contributed to the destruction of innocent
17 lives, and allowed evil to thrive under the protection of power and privilege; and
18 WHEREAS, the concealment of and participation in child exploitation within governmental
19 institutions represents a severe breach of duty that demands heightened accountability,
20 including criminal penalties and permanent removal from public service; and
21 WHEREAS, an oversight body with full investigative authority is necessary to ensure a
22 public official is not shielded from accountability due to political influence or institutional
23 protection;
24 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF
25 NORTH DAKOTA, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN:
Page No. 1 25.3111.01000
Sixty-ninth
Legislative Assembly
1 That the Legislative Management consider studying the feasibility of establishing mandatory
2 reporting requirements for public officials, an investigative body for allegations of child
3 exploitation and abuse involving public officials, and severe penalties for public officials who
4 engage in, enable, or conceal child exploitation; and
5 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the study include an examination of the implementation
6 of investigative and oversight measures, including the feasibility of the creation of a Special
7 Investigation Task Force within the Attorney General's office with the powers to investigate
8 allegations of child exploitation or abuse involving public officials, and a comprehensive review
9 of legislative powers in other states to assess whether similar powers should be adopted in this
10 state to address corruption, criminal conduct, or concealment of child exploitation; and
11 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the study include an examination of accountability
12 measures, including consideration of statutory changes to establish penalties and mandatory
13 minimum sentences for public officials found to have participated in or concealed child
14 exploitation, facilitated ongoing abuse, or retaliated against individuals for reporting such
15 offenses; and additional penalties for such offenses, including removal from office, forfeiture of
16 retirement benefits, and permanent disqualification from holding public office; and
17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the study include strategies to ensure the safety and
18 confidentiality of victims, witnesses, and whistleblowers; and
19 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the study include an assessment of the financial and
20 administrative impacts of any reforms; and
21 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Legislative Management engage with stakeholders,
22 including child welfare organizations, law enforcement agencies, the Department of Health and
23 Human Services, the Attorney General's office, victim advocacy groups, legal experts on ethics
24 and government accountability, individuals with experience investigating child exploitation
25 cases, and experts in criminal sentencing, public corruption law, and legislative oversight; and
26 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Legislative Management report its findings and
27 recommendations, together with any legislation required to implement the recommendations, to
28 the Seventieth Legislative Assembly.
Page No. 2 25.3111.01000
