North Dakota law

Civil Rights Laws in North Dakota.

The North Dakota Human Rights Act (N.D. Cent. Code Chapter 14-02.4) is North Dakota's principal civil-rights statute, administered by the North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights. NDHRA covers employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit. ND added sex as a protected class in 1983 but has NOT added sexual orientation or gender identity as explicitly protected classes under state law — limiting coverage relative to many states. Federal claims under § 1983, Title VII, ADA, and the Fair Housing Act remain available.

Last verified: 2026-04-17

State law

Statute of Limitations

300 days (ND DoL/EEOC)N.D. Cent. Code § 14-02.4-19

Discrimination complaints must be filed with the ND Department of Labor and Human Rights within 300 days.

State law

Key North Dakota Statutes

North Dakota Human Rights ActN.D. Cent. Code Chapter 14-02.4

Prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40+), physical or mental disability, and marital status. Applies to employers with 1+ employees.

No Explicit SOGI ProtectionCompare federal Title VII post-Bostock

North Dakota has NOT added sexual orientation or gender identity as explicit protected classes under the Human Rights Act. Federal Title VII sex discrimination (as extended in Bostock v. Clayton County, 2020) provides federal protection.

ND Department of Labor and Human RightsN.D. Cent. Code § 14-02.4-01 et seq.

Administers the ND Human Rights Act. Investigates complaints and may initiate administrative proceedings.

North Dakota Constitution — Equal ProtectionN.D. Const. Article I, § 22

North Dakota Constitution provides state-level equal protection. State constitutional claims proceed in District Court.

State law

Official Sources

ND Department of Labor and Human Rights U.S. EEOC

Not Legal Advice

This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in North Dakota.

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Civil Rights Laws in North Dakota.

Statute of Limitations

Key North Dakota Statutes

Official Sources

Not Legal Advice

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