Relating to medical costs transparency for health care facilities; to amend and reenact section 26.1‑47‑02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to health care facility and preferred provider compliance with medical cost transparency requirements; and to provide a penalty.
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.
SB 2270 creates a new licensing pathway for international physicians in North Dakota. It establishes a provisional license allowing foreign-trained doctors to practice temporarily after meeting requirements like passing U.S. medical exams (USMLE), holding ECFMG certification, demonstrating English proficiency, and securing a job offer from a North Dakota healthcare provider. The provisional license automatically converts to full licensure after three years of active practice in the state. This bill directly affects international physicians seeking to practice medicine in North Dakota, streamlining their licensure process while maintaining standards for patient safety and competency.
Relating to transfers from the charitable gaming operating fund to the gambling disorder prevention and treatment fund; and to authorize a full-time equivalent position for the department of health and human services.
SB 2316 proposed creating four regional service areas in North Dakota to provide long-term care for patients requiring ventilator support or psychiatric services. The bill would have required the state department to contract with providers in each region or pay for out-of-state care if local providers weren't available, while allowing collaboration with neighboring states. Facilities serving these patients could receive additional funding if they documented prior out-of-state care for the same patients. The bill specifically targeted patients with complex medical or psychiatric needs requiring ongoing specialized care. It failed to pass in the North Dakota legislature in February 2025.
SB 2388 would allow human-use ivermectin (a medication approved by the FDA for parasitic infections) to be sold without a prescription in North Dakota. This change would directly affect pharmacies, consumers seeking the medication, and healthcare providers by removing the current requirement for a doctor's prescription. The bill proposes creating a new law in North Dakota's code that explicitly permits over-the-counter sales of ivermectin for human use. It does not address medical use, safety, or other forms of ivermectin, focusing solely on changing pharmacy access rules.
SB 2099 would require North Dakota schools to provide cardiac arrest prevention and response training to student athletes and coaches. The bill proposes creating a new section in the state's legal code mandating this education as part of athletic programs. It directly affects student athletes and coaches in public and private schools across North Dakota by establishing specific training requirements. The key provision would standardize cardiac emergency preparedness, including instruction on using automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and emergency response protocols. This policy change aims to improve safety outcomes for student athletes during sports activities.
SB 2108 aimed to establish North Dakota as a member of a multi-state compact for physician assistant (PA) licensure. If passed, it would have allowed North Dakota-licensed PAs to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses, directly benefiting PAs seeking to work across state lines and patients in those states. The bill would have created a new chapter (43-17.5) in North Dakota law to implement this compact agreement. However, the bill failed to pass on January 15, 2025, with 0 votes in favor and 47 against.
