SB 2223 creates North Dakota's adoption of the Dietitian Licensure Compact, enabling licensed dietitians from participating states to practice across state lines without obtaining separate licenses in each state. This directly affects licensed dietitians seeking to work in multiple states and healthcare facilities serving patients in those states. The key mechanism establishes a "compact privilege" that functions like a license in other member states, while requiring uniform education and examination standards and allowing states to share disciplinary information. The compact aims to increase patient access to dietetic services, reduce administrative burdens for professionals and states, and maintain each state's authority to regulate practice and protect public health and safety.
HB 1252 creates a dedicated tribal health care coordination fund in North Dakota's state treasury, providing ongoing state funding to tribal governments for public health services. Funds are distributed based on each tribe's federal care coordination funding, with strict requirements: tribes must use funds for core public health services (limiting capital construction to 50% until 2027, then 35%), submit annual reports, and undergo biennial independent audits. The state department of health withholds funds for missing reports or improper use, and can restore distributions once compliance is verified. This bill directly affects North Dakota's tribal nations by establishing formalized, accountable funding for health programs aligned with federal public health priorities.
HB 1471 requires dental benefit plans in North Dakota to offer payment methods other than credit cards to dentists, preventing plans from requiring credit card payments only. It mandates that plans notify dentists about any fees for specific payment methods, explain available options, and provide clear instructions for selecting fee-free alternatives. The bill also prohibits charging transmission fees for electronic payments unless the dentist consents, and restricts plans from sharing credit card company profits to cover claim payments. This directly affects dental benefit plans, their vendors, and health maintenance organizations when paying dentists in North Dakota.
HB 1039 amends a North Dakota law to clarify which medical professionals can join the state's Physician Health Program. It specifically updates the definition of "licensee" eligible for participation in this program, ensuring only certain licensed healthcare providers qualify. The change directly affects doctors and other medical license holders seeking support for health issues without jeopardizing their licenses. The bill was enacted into law after passing through the state legislature and receiving the governor's signature in March 2025.
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 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 1590 would create a pilot program allowing North Dakota parents to open student education services accounts for K-12 children. Parents could deposit up to $2,000 annually per child, with the Bank of North Dakota matching 50% of those deposits. Funds could cover authorized expenses like career courses, tutoring, mental health services, and approved educational materials, with unused funds rolling over yearly. The pilot, running 2025-2027 with $41.2 million in state funding, would close accounts if students leave the state or don't pursue higher education, requiring parent refunds for contributed amounts.
HB 1477 would create new legal protections for fertility care access in North Dakota. It guarantees individuals the right to receive fertility treatments and make decisions about reproductive genetic material, while also protecting health care providers, insurers, and manufacturers from state restrictions on these services. The bill prohibits state agencies or subdivisions from implementing policies that limit access to fertility treatments, except for health/safety regulations that follow established medical guidelines. Violations could trigger civil lawsuits by affected individuals or the attorney general, with courts able to block the restrictive policy and award legal fees to the winning party. This bill directly affects patients seeking fertility care, clinics providing those services, health insurers, and manufacturers of fertility-related products.
