SB 2096 provides $5 million for renovating state hospital buildings to serve individuals with mental illness under correctional custody, involuntary commitment, or court-ordered forensic exams. It also appropriates $100 million to establish four regional acute psychiatric treatment and residential supportive housing services across North Dakota. The funds will allow the Department of Health and Human Services to build up to 24-bed facilities in each region or contract with private providers for these services. The bill directly affects individuals requiring acute psychiatric care and supportive housing, with funding allocated for the 2025-2027 biennium.
Relating to health status exceptions for health care facilities; to amend and reenact sections 14‑02.4‑01, 14‑02.4‑02, 14‑02.4‑03, 14‑02.4‑04, 14‑02.4‑05, 14‑02.4‑06, 14‑02.4‑08, and 14‑02.4‑09, subsection 1 of section 14‑02.4‑14, subsection 1 of section 14‑02.4‑15, and sections 14‑02.4‑16 and 14‑02.4‑17 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to creating a new status related to human rights and antidiscrimination policies; and to provide an appropriation.
SB 2231 would require North Dakota's medical assistance program to cover specific dental and behavioral services, directly affecting recipients of medical assistance who need these services. The bill mandates coverage for family adaptive behavioral treatment guidance, dental screenings, dental case management for special populations (including children, elderly, and medically fragile individuals), and asynchronous teledentistry to improve access. It explicitly states these new coverage requirements do not apply to Medicaid expansion programs for children and adults. The bill failed to pass in the Senate on March 27, 2025, with 33 votes in favor and 59 against.
HB 1430 would amend North Dakota's social work regulations to allow licensed social workers to offer counseling aligned with heterosexuality or a client's biological sex without violating ethics rules. It directly affects licensed social workers in North Dakota who provide counseling to individuals questioning their sexuality or gender identity. The bill requires social workers to disclose the nature of such treatment and obtain written consent from the client or their parent/guardian before proceeding. This legislation, which failed to pass in March 2025, focuses on defining ethical boundaries for specific counseling approaches under professional regulation.
SB 2205 creates a dedicated "charitable gaming operating fund" in North Dakota's state treasury to manage all taxes, fines, and penalties collected from charitable gaming activities (like bingo or raffles run by nonprofits). The bill requires quarterly allocations: $75,000 to the gambling disorder prevention and treatment fund, and 5% of total funds to cities and counties based on taxes collected from local games (with a minimum $200 threshold for payments). It also mandates that any excess funds remaining after covering administrative costs be transferred to the state's general fund every odd-numbered year. This bill directly affects how charitable gaming revenue is distributed to state programs and local governments.
HB 1467 requires North Dakota's Department of Health to create a website linking to the federal vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS) and compile state-specific data on vaccine side effects and administration errors. Healthcare providers must report adverse events and errors (like wrong dosage or expired vaccines) using department-prescribed forms, while the public can also submit reports. The bill establishes a $100,000 fund to support this system and mandates annual legislative reports on its effectiveness. It directly affects healthcare facilities, providers, and the public by creating a standardized process for tracking and reporting vaccine-related incidents.
HB 1457 would create a new exemption allowing individuals to avoid required vaccines (for school, work, or licensing) if the vaccine doesn't meet specific safety and effectiveness standards. These standards require the FDA-approved vaccine to have undergone at least one year of safety testing against a placebo, with injury data publicly posted, a lower risk of serious harm than the disease itself, and manufacturer liability for deaths or injuries. The North Dakota Department of Health must publicize this exemption and prohibit state agencies from requiring conditions inconsistent with it. The bill failed to pass during its second reading in February 2025.
HB 1339 amends North Dakota law to clarify which licensed ambulance services are exempt from forming rural ambulance service districts. It specifically exempts county-owned, city-owned, jointly operated (with cities/counties), tribal/federal government-owned, hospital-owned, and existing rural ambulance service districts from these requirements. The bill directly affects local ambulance providers by removing a regulatory burden for these specific service types. This is a procedural change to existing code, not a new policy requiring public funding or service expansion.
HB 1337 would provide $10 million in state funds to counties for mental health and substance use disorder treatment services for people in jail. The bill requires counties receiving grants to report annually on how funds were used and outcomes, and the health department to submit a summary report to lawmakers by 2026. This funding would cover the 2025-2027 biennium and aim to expand access to mental health care for incarcerated individuals.
HB 1595 requires North Dakota pregnancy resource centers receiving state funding to meet specific health care and transparency standards. The bill mandates that funded centers must employ at least one licensed health care provider (like a nurse or physician), provide medically accurate and comprehensive pregnancy counseling, maintain HIPAA-compliant client records, and publish detailed organizational policies. Centers must also submit annual reports to the state including financial data, staff details, client service statistics (like pregnancy tests or ultrasounds provided), and material support given (e.g., diapers, baby supplies). These requirements apply directly to centers receiving state grants for pregnancy-related services. The bill was introduced in 2025 but failed to pass in committee.
