Fact Brief

Are North Dakota businesses allowed to put cameras in bathrooms?

No.

North Dakota law prohibits businesses and individuals from installing cameras in restrooms or other places where people reasonably expect privacy.

The North Dakota News Cooperative is partnering with Gigafact to produce timely fact briefs, which are quick, evidence-based fact checks about trending claims relevant to North Dakota.

Under North Dakota Century Code § 12.1-20-12.2, it is a crime to record, photograph, observe or broadcast someone in a bathroom, hotel room, dressing room, locker room, tanning booth or similar private space without their consent. This offense, called surreptitious intrusion, is a Class A misdemeanor for a first violation. It can be charged as a Class C felony if the person has a prior conviction or if the victim is a minor.

Businesses may legally use video surveillance in areas where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy, such as entrances, sales floors or parking lots. However, surveillance in bathrooms or other private spaces is strictly prohibited and can result in both criminal charges and civil liability.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources:
North Dakota Century Code: CHAPTER 12.1-20 SEX OFFENSES
Justia: Jeffrey Dean Poolman, Appellant, v. City of Grafton, North Dakota

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Are speed cameras legal in North Dakota?

No. North Dakota does not authorize automated traffic enforcement using speed or red-light cameras. Citations must be issued by a law enforcement officer who personally observes the violation and halts the driver. The North Dakota Century Code (§ 39-07-07) specifies that an officer “shall issue a traffic citation” to an individual

Did North Dakota lawmakers vote against releasing the Epstein files?

No. There is no record that North Dakota’s congressional delegation voted against releasing documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. In July 2025, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) introduced an amendment calling for a vote to release the Epstein files. The Congressional Record shows no vote taken on the amendment. Similarly, House

Have any of North Dakota's US Congress members held an in-person town hall since the pandemic?

No. North Dakota’s federal lawmakers, Sens. Kevin Cramer and John Hoeven and Rep. Julie Fedorchak, have not held in-person town halls in at least five years. Cramer has not hosted an in-person town hall since before the COVID-19 pandemic. He connects with constituents through virtual events and a regular

No.

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