HB 1454 creates a new procedure allowing individuals to opt out of required vaccines under North Dakota law. It directly affects people subject to vaccine mandates, such as those for school enrollment or certain employment. The bill establishes a formal process for requesting exemptions from these requirements within the state's legal framework. This is a procedural change to the Century Code, not a policy shift on vaccine necessity. The summary is limited to the bill's stated mechanism as described in its title and abstract.
SB 2286 proposes authorizing the University of North Dakota (UND) to borrow up to $55 million through a line of credit from the Bank of North Dakota during 2025-2027, with interest capped at rates for state entities. It also appropriates $95 million in one-time funding for UND to construct a new health sciences facility at its School of Medicine and Health Sciences. The facility aims to expand health workforce capacity in areas like behavioral health and wellness, while supporting research and academic programs. The bill failed to pass in the legislature on April 8, 2025, with 6 votes in favor and 87 against.
SB 2190 would expand North Dakota's medical assistance program to cover five specific services: family training for behavioral therapy support, dental screenings and assessments, dental case management for special populations (like children, elderly, and medically fragile individuals), asynchronous teledentistry to improve access, and applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy for behavioral issues. These services would directly affect medical assistance recipients, particularly those with special healthcare needs or in underserved communities. The bill explicitly states these new benefits would not apply to Medicaid expansion programs. The provisions aim to integrate oral health care with general health services and reduce barriers to dental and behavioral support.
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.
HB 1154 extends a moratorium on adding new basic care and nursing facility bed capacity in North Dakota from August 1, 2023, through July 31, 2029. It prohibits new licenses for basic care beds unless facilities convert existing beds, demonstrate high demand (90% occupancy within 50 miles for 12 months), or receive department approval. The bill also restricts nursing facilities from changing bed configurations more than twice annually, except for specific conversions or relicensing after July 31, 2011. This law directly affects nursing homes and care facilities seeking to expand or reconfigure bed capacity across the state.
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 1519 requires North Dakota's Department of Health to compile and maintain individual death and vaccination records from the state's immunization and death registration systems. It mandates tracking specific details like vaccine type, date of vaccination, sex, race, and death dates within 720 days post-vaccination. The department must publish quarterly public reports on its website showing death rates for each vaccine type administered to over 20,000 people in the previous quarter, broken down by demographic groups and time intervals after vaccination. This bill directly affects the state health department's data management and public reporting processes.
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 1478, if enacted, would create new protections in North Dakota law for access to contraceptives. It defines contraceptives broadly (including pills, IUDs, condoms, and patches) while excluding abortion drugs, and guarantees individuals the right to receive, purchase, or use contraception under evidence-based medical guidelines. The bill also protects health care providers who decline to provide contraception based on religious or moral objections, and ensures health insurers cover contraceptive care. It allows lawsuits against state entities that restrict these rights, with penalties including court-ordered relief and attorney fees for successful plaintiffs.
