This bill (SB 2377) changes North Dakota law to protect dental plan enrollees. It bars dental plans from controlling fees charged by dentists for services not covered by the plan (like routine checkups if not included in the plan). It also prevents plans from denying patients additional dental care when annual, lifetime, or frequency limits have been reached. The law directly affects dental patients and providers by ensuring they aren't restricted from accessing care when plan limits are exhausted.
HB 1014 allocates $3.4 million from North Dakota's general fund to cover operational costs for the state's protection and advocacy project during the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill provides $7.79 million total (including $4.36 million from other sources), specifying funding for 28.5 full-time equivalent positions. It directly affects the project's ability to operate, without specifying particular beneficiaries or new policy changes. This is a procedural funding measure, not a substantive policy bill.
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.
SB 2231 would require North Dakota's medical assistance program to cover specific dental and behavioral services, directly affecting recipients of medical assistance who need these services. The bill mandates coverage for family adaptive behavioral treatment guidance, dental screenings, dental case management for special populations (including children, elderly, and medically fragile individuals), and asynchronous teledentistry to improve access. It explicitly states these new coverage requirements do not apply to Medicaid expansion programs for children and adults. The bill failed to pass in the Senate on March 27, 2025, with 33 votes in favor and 59 against.
HB 1430 would amend North Dakota's social work regulations to allow licensed social workers to offer counseling aligned with heterosexuality or a client's biological sex without violating ethics rules. It directly affects licensed social workers in North Dakota who provide counseling to individuals questioning their sexuality or gender identity. The bill requires social workers to disclose the nature of such treatment and obtain written consent from the client or their parent/guardian before proceeding. This legislation, which failed to pass in March 2025, focuses on defining ethical boundaries for specific counseling approaches under professional regulation.
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 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 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.
