[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6284831,"mediaKeyId","2576633-ad302bad3a890a79dec0073b644d53ce","parentId",2576633,"title","Proposal to let human services zones take custody of children with severe behavioral problems draws mixed reaction","audioSeconds",2263,"startMs",8858000,"endMs",11121000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576633-ad302bad3a890a79dec0073b644d53ce&start=8858&end=11121","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576633-ad302bad3a890a79dec0073b644d53ce/thumbnail_8858000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6284831/North-Dakota/Proposal-to-let-human-services-zones-take-custody-of-children-with-severe-behavioral-problems-draws-mixed-reaction","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284831-33f53f31b95b506bd64db845447c911e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191350&Signature=jK45Qw~k6oIr8WmTryUC~cTpbdtQWxz0OBw83Vc0C7q88QWajw9Lpd3X9f779RU5OELCZWI8zaJ~Hh~~wmF7BF~JB09qbyJyro2v-iwCaFidSObhX~Ia1JQlKqOhDGZIEiU32ulPcf2MpsHlgtz7D~9a7oGvE~RURVAGpUW9uOHzK3YeKnh8Bp-dqwESlHELX3Tq03Sq9utvNd5QPlxp97j5rP0LgwIKWFVVy5A~1NE~0QMFyTqW2GIXvFIUpo~o82ZIR0xKS8o6UkDDMDMnpNRLV1T2zlva0FIcbh-PV6Q8en12vkHJPKYuR1yBjhN-ypPtsGezqLM-dSMkTK9-aA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-03-12T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Greg Steeman and Department of Health and Human Services counsel Jonathan Alm described House Bill 1556 as a narrow change to chapter 27.20.3 that would allow courts to place children with severe behavioral‑health conditions into temporary custody of a human service zone to receive care and to preserve the ability to pursue termination of parental rights where appropriate.

Alm told the committee the bill adds a new subdivision describing a child \"who is in need of care and treatment,\" has been diagnosed with a severe mental‑health condition or behavioral disorder by a licensed child psychologist or psychiatrist, and has committed an act of violent or sexual nature against another family member in the household that would be a crime if committed by an adult. \"All three elements described on page 2, lines 8 through 15, need to be present in order for this to be fitting underneath the definition,\" Alm said.

Supporters said the change would create a clearer legal pathway for families and courts to obtain services when a child’s behavior creates immediate safety concerns yet the family is not abandoning the child. Representative Steeman said courts and zones are already facing such situations and that the statutory language would let judges order disposition and treatment options aimed at preserving family connections where possible.

Several human‑services directors and juvenile‑justice and advocacy groups opposed the bill or urged caution. Rhonda Allery, director of Mountain Lakes Human Service Zone, said the proposed language risks routing children with delinquent or violent behavior into child‑protection proceedings rather than the juvenile‑delinquency system, where different processes, representation and placement resources exist. Brad Peterson of Protection & Advocacy said the measure could deprive children of due process rights afforded in delinquency proceedings and risks adding trauma by moving toward termination of parental rights when parents may still be seeking services.

Committee members probed whether the proposal would merely formalize current court practices or would shift responsibility from juvenile services and behavior‑health systems to child welfare. Committee members asked for data on the number of children who might meet the three‑part test and whether juvenile‑justice resources or additional placements exist for the children described in testimony.

The hearing ended without a committee vote; legislators and agency counsel said they expect further drafting and follow‑up on representation, placement options and fiscal and service capacity.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Human Services Wednesday, Mar 12, 2025 8:53 AM - 12:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 1556 would expand the definition of \"child in need of protection\" to include children diagnosed with severe behavioral or mental‑health disorders who have committed violent acts and whose parents cannot provide control, supporters and agency counsel told the Senate Human Services Committee.","taxTitle","Human Services, Senate, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28905,"location","North Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6284836,"Committee hears bill to raise long‑term‑care residents' personal needs allowance to $110 and add inflation adjustment",6538,2238000,8776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576633-ad302bad3a890a79dec0073b644d53ce&start=2238&end=8776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576633-ad302bad3a890a79dec0073b644d53ce/thumbnail_2238000.jpg","/articles/6284836/North-Dakota/Committee-hears-bill-to-raise-longtermcare-residents-personal-needs-allowance-to-110-and-add-inflation-adjustment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284836-c28bc1e3eafddbc84926291269004446/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191350&Signature=NvqIpjvrQXDWgTVSvzszU~GuH89b0tSjuzk8NSbUWwNnTf1P59rr4e8kCzC~As~ziisugtSjFYq-Fy1DrABNkiWf8Aiap-aeIjNG9QyZusghwLlNf63rGMLH~nnjUwk1TpUnJ0wXFXt6dLWHM4wABA13Q5ICdbj-Vyzt1W18Yi2EOlfXsU3uEEHWAT0aO75j-NK1PdtZCoHtRVNGYt6EGsdp9qjFNSAnp64t0dQGyk2ofyWxqPOFAJM-IKAiCVjeyVq~K2W77Zm6KNhwq7SgXIjQ0D7JVWmH~5s5mXPz4EIMPGXpZUH3mDS314p-yP2eXisSDDilJ83Hbm53sUQDaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Carrie McLeod told the Senate Human Services Committee she introduced House Bill 1485 after constituents raised concerns about out‑of‑pocket resources for people entering long‑term care. The bill would increase the monthly personal needs allowance from $100 to $110 and require an annual inflation adjustment.

Rita Matherin, who testified about her father’s recent long‑term care placement, described how quickly assets are spent down and why a small monthly allowance matters for items such as clothing, a blanket or a phone subscription. \"A hundred dollars a month does not go very far,\" she told the committee, and said adding an inflation factor would preserve dignity for elderly and disabled residents.

Nikki Wagner of the North Dakota Long Term Care Association said the allowance — the portion of a resident’s income exempted from Medicaid calculations to cover personal items — has lagged inflation. Wagner told the committee the 2023 legislative increase brought the allowance to $100 for skilled nursing residents but that continuing the allowance without an annual adjustment will erode purchasing power.

Shelly Peterson, a longtime consultant with the Long Term Care Association, explained the broader Medicaid recipient‑liability framework: most residents spend income and assets down to qualify for Medicaid, keeping a limited personal needs allowance for incidentals. Witnesses and several committee members noted the state fiscal office had prepared a fiscal note; committee members asked Health and Human Services staff whether an annual adjustment could use the Consumer Price Index as the mechanism for the increase.

Supporters emphasized the bill affects a modest number of residents but has tangible effects on daily life in facilities: examples cited included costs for clothing, haircuts and a personal phone plan. Opponents offered no organized opposition at the hearing; several neutral witnesses — including the Department of Human Services — said the department could implement an annual adjustment but requested clear statutory language on which inflation gauge the legislature prefers.

The committee closed the hearing and indicated it may request a revised fiscal note if the legislature adopts specific indexing language.","House Bill 1485 would raise the personal needs allowance for most long‑term‑care residents from $100 to $110 per month and require an annual inflation adjustment, supporters told the Senate Human Services Committee.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6284842,"Senate committee hears bill to block drug makers' limits on 340B contract pharmacies",5727,429000,6156000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576633-ad302bad3a890a79dec0073b644d53ce&start=429&end=6156","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576633-ad302bad3a890a79dec0073b644d53ce/thumbnail_429000.jpg","/articles/6284842/North-Dakota/Senate-committee-hears-bill-to-block-drug-makers-limits-on-340B-contract-pharmacies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284842-053742195651d371cddc69f60d9dad73/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191350&Signature=n1D8l6aCphiB8e5yp68v0UuGmd3M4lPHE~62xPC4vmmicos03U58NNvSlmzd9~fx-uM3LAyIVHMrmfh4-YiJSY62oljfbn9hWO7YqVyuF0UzsgJt97mw7K4~JtZG9YBf58px-aLA8XR7WknC51sCYjeVZZc1kDXFqDAiKqZ-3fBKSWswXyoiJGIOO72SBQdn8AObwJOMTfRRcr6RFobovu1SLEPWORovSjmwTs7FjCO5Xh9~teK4WIPPFNmj48msFVmhbFEw9eTvSFdSQ~NtOb0wfKBTxlz6YD3ygUWMPElyvuWpoA1ymgD8ej~QbV-mvHc8QC5nG~~L8l5XZZ6I0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative John Nelson, sponsor of House Bill 1473, told the Senate Human Services Committee the bill would stop drug manufacturers from imposing unilateral restrictions on how covered entities participate in the federal 340B drug discount program.

The bill, Nelson said at a committee hearing, \"helps stop drug manufacturers from implementing their own requirements and mandates on a federally run program called the 340B program,\" which he described as critical to sustaining rural health care and access in North Dakota.

Supporters — including the North Dakota Pharmacists Association, the North Dakota Hospital Association, Sanford Health, Heart of America Hospital in Rugby, and community health centers — said contract pharmacies and 340B savings fund services that would otherwise be at risk in small and rural communities. Mike Schwab of the North Dakota Pharmacists Association summarized the program’s purpose: 340B enables certain covered entities to buy outpatient drugs at discounted prices and reinvest the savings in care for low‑income, uninsured and underinsured patients. Eric Christiansen, CEO of Heart of America in Rugby, described local uses of 340B revenue including subsidizing emergency medical services and charity care, and said without 340B his hospital would “be running in the red.” Jesse Breidenbach, vice president of pharmacy services at Sanford, told the committee the program is subject to HRSA recertification and audits and that covered entities maintain policies and documentation to meet federal requirements.

Opponents — including pharmaceutical manufacturers' lobbyists, GSK, PhRMA and several policy groups — warned HB1473 would accelerate program growth and raise costs for employers, state health plans and patients. GSK’s Mark Howell said the 340B program was created to benefit vulnerable patients but lacks federal guardrails requiring discounts be passed directly to patients. A PhRMA representative and others argued expanded contract pharmacy participation can shift manufacturer rebates out of employer and state benefit pools and cited fiscal studies claiming higher employer and state health-plan costs.

Committee members pressed witnesses on several technical points: whether 340B pricing increases outpatient drug charges at covered entities, how duplicate-discount safeguards operate between 340B and Medicaid, and whether state enforcement by the Board of Pharmacy (the bill would add prohibited-act language to statute and tie enforcement to existing penalty sections) is appropriate. Testimony cited federal actions and litigation: witnesses noted HRSA guidance allowing multiple contract pharmacies since 2010, and that courts in the Eighth Circuit have upheld state action to preserve program access; supporters pointed to a recent South Dakota law and an unsuccessful Supreme Court challenge in late 2024.

The hearing produced no vote. Committee staff and stakeholders noted areas for possible amendment, including reporting or transparency provisions, and the Board of Pharmacy said it could administer enforcement and reporting if the legislature directed it.

Votes at a glance: none taken; the bill was the subject of a hearing only.

Why it matters: HB1473 addresses a federal program that state hospitals and community health centers say underpins local services in rural North Dakota. Opponents say the bill could shift costs to insurers and employers without ensuring the discounts reach intended patients.

Next steps: The committee closed the hearing after testimony from supporters and opponents and did not take a final vote at that session.","Representative John Nelson introduced House Bill 1473 to the Senate Human Services Committee, saying the bill would stop drug manufacturers from enforcing restrictions on participation in the federal 340B drug discount program.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Proposal to let human services zones take custody of children with severe behavioral problems draws mixed reaction

Committee hears bill to raise long‑term‑care residents' personal needs allowance to $110 and add inflation adjustment

Senate committee hears bill to block drug makers' limits on 340B contract pharmacies