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.
Relating to pharmacy benefits managers and a pharmacy benefit manager enforcement fund; to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 26.1‑01‑07, sections 26.1‑27.1-01, 26.1‑27.1‑02, 26.1‑27.1‑04, 26.1‑27.1‑06 and 26.1‑27.1‑07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to pharmacy benefits managers; to repeal section 26.1‑27‑01.1 and chapter 26.1‑36.10 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to pharmacy benefits managers and prescription drug costs; to provide a penalty; to provide an appropriation; to provide for a transfer; to provide an effective date; to provide an expiration date; and to declare an emergency.
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.
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 2192 would provide $240,000 in state funds to reimburse community health and social service providers for costs associated with meeting state accreditation requirements. It directly affects community-based organizations that need accreditation to operate, such as clinics, shelters, or support programs. The bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to distribute grants covering these accreditation expenses for the 2025-2027 biennium. This is a funding measure, not a policy change to accreditation standards themselves.
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 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.
