Healthcare

HB 1030 renames "drug court" programs to "treatment court" across multiple North Dakota statutes, focusing on rehabilitation rather than punitive measures. It directly affects courts, judges, and individuals participating in these specialized programs by updating terminology in legal codes. The bill does not create new programs or funding but adjusts existing court procedures to align with the treatment-focused approach. The legislation was signed into law by the Governor on March 14, 2025, and is now effective.

HB 1108 amends North Dakota law to update rules for interstate contracts allowing mental health and substance use disorder treatment across state lines. It directly affects patients needing care outside North Dakota and healthcare providers coordinating treatment with other states. The bill establishes clearer requirements for these contracts, ensuring proper legal agreements between states to facilitate seamless patient care. The emergency declaration reflects the urgency of addressing gaps in cross-state treatment access for vulnerable populations.

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 1321 amends North Dakota's medical marijuana laws to adjust possession and purchase limits for registered patients and caregivers. It increases the standard monthly purchase limit from 2.5 ounces to 3 ounces (85.05 grams) of smokable cannabis and raises the maximum possession limit from 3 ounces to 4.5 ounces (127.57 grams), with higher "enhanced" limits of 9 ounces (255.15 grams) for patients with cancer-related conditions. The bill also updates registry identification cards to include designations for enhanced limits and requires THC concentration limits of 9,000 milligrams per month for all products. Additionally, it modifies renewal fees for compassion centers, capping them at $90,000 for dispensaries and $110,000 for manufacturing facilities.

HB 1349 proposes capping noneconomic damages (like pain and suffering) in North Dakota health care malpractice lawsuits at $500,000 initially, with scheduled annual increases to $1.5 million (2026), $2 million (2027), and $2.5 million (2028). It directly affects patients filing malpractice claims and healthcare providers facing such lawsuits, while exempting claims involving unborn fetuses. The bill requires courts to reduce jury awards to meet the cap without informing juries of the limit. The legislation failed to pass in the North Dakota legislature on February 7, 2025, with 30 votes in favor and 61 against.