SB 2209 North Dakota Senate · 69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26)

AN ACT to amend and reenact section 12.1-34-07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the expansion of medical examinations of victims of criminal conduct; and to provide an appropriation.

This bill (SB 2209) prevents victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse/neglect from being charged for medical exams used to gather crime evidence. It requires North Dakota's Attorney General to reimburse healthcare providers and children's advocacy centers for these exams using a $200,000 state appropriation. The law ensures victims (including children) and their guardians won't face direct billing for forensic exams or preliminary screenings. Evidence collected under this law cannot be used against victims for unrelated offenses. The funding supports domestic violence examiner programs and requires reporting on how funds are used and victim outcomes.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Mar 2025

Introduced Jan 15, 2025 Signed Mar 31, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SECOND ENGROSSMENT → Enrollment · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends North Dakota law to expand coverage of forensic medical examinations for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, ensuring costs are covered by the state rather than the victims. It also establishes a reporting requirement for organizations receiving these funds and creates a dedicated appropriation for the program.

Scope change

The bill expands the definition of covered examinations to include child victims of physical abuse or neglect, not just criminal sexual conduct, and clarifies the timeframe for acute forensic examinations.

DEFINITION

Extended the definition of acute forensic medical examinations to include child victims of physical abuse or neglect, not just criminal sexual conduct.

TIMELINE

Updated the time limit for acute forensic examinations from 96 hours to 120 hours after the alleged crime.

FISCAL

Added $200,000 appropriation for the domestic violence forensic medical examination program for the biennium 2025-2027.

REQUIREMENT

Added reporting requirements for organizations receiving funding to report to the attorney general and appropriations committees on fund usage and program outcomes.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 13, 2025 · House Mar 24, 2025

How they voted

47–0

Passed

Total votes 47

Feb 13, 2025

D Democratic5

5 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican42

42 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 1, 2025

Introduced

Filed with Secretary Of State 03/31

legislature

Mar 31, 2025

Signed into law

Signed by Governor 03/28

upper

Mar 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Second reading, passed, yeas 90 nays 1

lower

Mar 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported back, do pass, place on calendar 21 0 2

lower

Mar 7, 2025

Committee

Rereferred to Appropriations

lower

Mar 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported back, do pass 13 0 1

lower

Mar 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee Hearing 11:00

lower

Feb 18, 2025

Introduced

Introduced, first reading, referred Judiciary Committee

lower

Feb 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Second reading, passed, yeas 47 nays 0

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amendment adopted, placed on calendar

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 15 0 1

upper

Jan 30, 2025

Committee

Rereferred to Appropriations

upper

Jan 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amendment adopted

upper

Jan 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 6 0 1

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee Hearing 10:00

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced, first reading, referred Judiciary Committee

upper

1 primary · 5 co-sponsors