Rep. Pat Heinert

Maddy summaryHB 1371 authorizes a legislative study to examine creating a uniform group health insurance program for retired peace officers. The bill does not change current coverage but directs a review of how to establish consistent health benefits across the state. It directly affects retired peace officers by potentially leading to standardized health insurance options through future legislation. The study will assess existing programs and recommend a uniform approach, but no immediate policy changes are made by this bill.

Maddy summaryHB 1345 amends a specific section of North Dakota's vehicle registration law (section 39-04-19) for passenger motor vehicles. The bill changes how passenger vehicle registration is handled under the North Dakota Century Code. It directly affects all owners of passenger vehicles registered in North Dakota. The bill includes an effective date provision but provides no specific details about the nature of the amendment to the registration requirements in the available context.

Maddy summaryHB 1326 amends North Dakota's self-defense law to clarify that individuals cannot claim self-defense if they were unlawfully carrying a firearm at the time of an incident. Specifically, the bill adds that possessing a firearm in violation of state law (e.g., without a permit or due to a disqualifying offense) automatically disqualifies a person from using self-defense as a legal justification. This directly affects people who might otherwise argue self-defense while illegally holding a gun. The key provision (Section 12.1-05-03, subsection 3c) explicitly states that unlawful firearm possession negates self-defense claims during encounters involving imminent harm. The bill was introduced in 2025 but failed to pass the legislature.

Maddy summarySB 2165 amends North Dakota laws governing peace officer licensing, directly affecting current and prospective law enforcement officers. The bill expands the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board's authority to require medical or psychological evaluations of officers for public safety, and allows the board to access medical records without standard privacy restrictions. It also clarifies grounds for license denial or suspension, including felony convictions, domestic violence offenses, use of unjustified force, or false statements during licensing. The bill updates fee structures for applications, renewals, and other licensing actions, and specifies that medical information provided to the board is exempt from typical privacy protections. These changes aim to strengthen licensing oversight while streamlining administrative processes.

Maddy summarySB 2196 amends North Dakota law to allow students with asthma or anaphylaxis to self-administer their prescribed medication (like inhalers or epinephrine auto-injectors) at school without requiring a nurse or staff member to be present. This directly affects students diagnosed with these conditions and their school staff, who must follow updated protocols. The key provision clarifies that schools must permit students to carry and use their own medication during school hours and school activities, provided it is prescribed and stored properly. The change updates existing school health policies to align with current medical guidelines for student safety.

Relating to restitution for the child of a victim of criminal vehicular homicide and conditions of probation; to amend and reenact subsection 5 of section 12.1‑32‑06.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the extension of probation; to provide a penalty; and to provide for application.

Maddy summaryHB 1394 amends North Dakota's licensing rules for emergency medical services (EMS) operations. It requires EMS operators to hold separate licenses for each location or operation, with exceptions allowing a single license for established substations that meet specific criteria (like sharing dispatch and bordering service areas). Operators must pay a separate license fee for each substation location. This directly affects all EMS providers in North Dakota, particularly those operating multiple sites or substations, by clarifying licensing requirements and fees. The bill does not change rules for out-of-state operators transporting patients across state lines.

Relating to use of local jails or correctional facilities for inmates sentenced to the physical custody of the department of corrections and rehabilitation.

Relating to law enforcement agency and concealed weapon test administrator certifications and firearm proficiency qualification course records; and to amend and reenact subsection 7 of section 62.1‑01‑01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to standards for qualification in firearms training for retired officers.

Maddy summaryHB 1200 amends North Dakota's high school graduation requirements to require one unit of computer science or cybersecurity (subdivision h) for all students, effective after July 31, 2025. It allows schools to grant credit for up to one unit of coursework under "emergent circumstances" (e.g., natural disasters disrupting normal education) by substituting alternative courses like dual-credit or electives. This applies to students in North Dakota public and nonpublic high schools who demonstrate such emergencies. The bill also updates existing GED credit provisions but focuses primarily on creating flexibility for emergency disruptions to graduation requirements.