[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6127389,"mediaKeyId","2663462-ea34bb4ebe02362dc7115d84d0f69c19","parentId",2663462,"title","Senate Human Services hears bill to guarantee parent access to minor’s medical exam room","audioSeconds",5414,"startMs",184000,"endMs",5598000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663462-ea34bb4ebe02362dc7115d84d0f69c19&start=184&end=5598","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663462-ea34bb4ebe02362dc7115d84d0f69c19/thumbnail_184000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6127389/North-Dakota/Senate-Human-Services-hears-bill-to-guarantee-parent-access-to-minors-medical-exam-room","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127389-93f5a5d9e3c667f35271c1c4b3ba43f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150824&Signature=cIU1W2I6iuVamHHs~uNcdFerTLmIuteUc6iQVZyZUcsUk-mR62kw2Ff2RnFSxZIcSup3ccXjA7H8BLv-WMYqADnxTu8qffpxVXiURavY5kW-NlIBbgS4B3q-2n2cNQ2RDJdDH2BCFS9KvsGStOfYoKvr84vVZHPR1-DMEqHtFh9t~2pymGBSa1MnELoWJmwLftUt~Uzu0Mw9iLHC2-Q9hDi4ONrVDFFJYT03qILaXV~fQVoqpyPwUn4Vq2t9mJ7FTvMoB1o94KoUQp2106Zvi8y9ZzwiJT~tcdsSBSNL7dJoezoVk1f-xdxoeFv8jZpnIsrmq4Hv~dHFpD2P8msN2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","House Bill 1450, introduced to the Senate Human Services Committee, would add a section to Chapter 14-10 declaring that a parent or guardian “has full access to an examination room in which their child is receiving care,” requires notice of parents’ rights, allows a privacy screen and requires written notice before standardized questions not related to the visit are asked of a minor.

The bill was introduced by Representative Sue Ann Olson, who told the committee the measure is “a simple but important bill that protects parents' rights in medical exam rooms.” Olson said the bill would require providers to give parents written notice of the categories of questions that may be asked, whether answers will be recorded or shared, and a right to opt out of questions unrelated to the purpose of the visit.

Supporters told lawmakers the proposal would stop parents from being excluded from exam rooms in routine visits. Matt Flanders, legislative and policy director at Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom, described cases reported to his organization in which parents said they were asked to leave and their children were questioned alone. “Our organization fully supports House Bill 14 50, which provides clear protections for parent and guardian rights,” Flanders said.

Senator Jose Castaneda described personal experiences in which providers asked parents of adolescents to leave without a clear explanation, and said the bill would preserve parental authority while allowing exceptions when abuse is suspected. “I do feel that many times it is made into a ‘you will get out’ … It should be a team effort,” Castaneda said, urging safeguards while preserving parents’ presence.

Health care groups, child advocates and human-services leaders opposed the bill or urged major revisions, saying it would undermine clinical practice and mandatory reporting. Dr. David Field, a family physician testifying for the North Dakota Medical Association, said clinicians cannot predict all the follow-up questions they may need and that private conversations between provider and minor are sometimes necessary to identify abuse, neglect or mental-health needs. “If a physician or other practitioner is not allowed to ask the questions that may lead to revealing the problem, the exemption is meaningless,” Field said.

Representatives of the North Dakota Hospital Association and the state’s human service zone directors warned the bill’s exemption language is narrow and potentially unworkable. Melissa Hower, general counsel for the hospital association, told the committee that the bill’s exemption for “suspected case[s] of physical or sexual abuse when the provider has documented the concern and notified the appropriate authorities” would require documentation and notification before a clinician could speak privately with a child — a step that, she said, may be impossible in many clinical encounters and could delay protection or treatment.

Kim Jacobson, director of the Agassiz Valley Human Service Zone, said the bill’s language could conflict with existing statutes and with situations in which zones or courts hold custody or guardianship. Greg Kosowski of Children’s Advocacy Centers of North Dakota told the committee that requiring parents to be present for all questions would deter disclosure; he said 96% of children who disclose abuse know their abuser and that private time with a clinician or forensic interviewer is often the only safe window for disclosure.

Several committee members pressed for data about how frequently parents are excluded and whether the committee should legislate based on anecdote rather than documented local complaints; Olson and supporters said they had received reports and argued the law would provide clarity for parents and providers.

No committee vote on the bill was recorded in the hearing transcript. Lawmakers, physicians and advocacy groups agreed there are trade-offs between parental involvement, patient confidentiality and mandatory reporting; several senators asked sponsors to consider narrowing or clarifying the exemptions and the bill’s notice requirements.

The committee hearing concluded with members hearing multiple perspectives and several witnesses urging changes to the bill’s language to avoid unintended interference with mandatory reporting and emergency care.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Human Services Monday, Mar 17, 2025 8:59 AM - 11:35 AM","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 1450, introduced to the Senate Human Services Committee, would add a section to Chapter 14-10 declaring that a parent or guardian \"has full access to an examination room in which their child is receiving care,\" requires notice of parents’ rights, allows a privacy screen and requires written notice before standardized questions not related to the visit are asked of a minor.","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},6127376,"Senate Human Services committee raises personal‑needs allowance for long‑term residents to $150 and advances bill",590,8738000,9328000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663462-ea34bb4ebe02362dc7115d84d0f69c19&start=8738&end=9328","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663462-ea34bb4ebe02362dc7115d84d0f69c19/thumbnail_8738000.jpg","/articles/6127376/North-Dakota/Senate-Human-Services-committee-raises-personalneeds-allowance-for-longterm-residents-to-150-and-advances-bill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127376-be2b2411028741d25c31f6bbeab4e618/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150824&Signature=jMi3kpLEf6u41zJoCanUycyXDUbowLsxJIEXNxBpY8tJqJokM6JltTz1IefuCTwMSlw25mmmdJnPK-h1DfsD23LzU5t6LzuJwY534D-jWyJg5dXyJ5R5-dubTkiMaoEVHOboON50P9szRyrli1qWbfEfg9nkKzijEzk5wRiVsAyExnaygHVJJAtwTjEhAv4E9YFiei9kaLJ0kly1vR9sDsYWRKILM7Ls0Jx-xSToIPpY6cvo3PjWfuXpR2SE8XIiQEnbwv3AfOGr056wgwcmNCf061Pnasn7YvR5Wz6ov52u4eOPvNGp-Fw483or4YXLTA1~K-GIezIi8-YpoPHKQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators in the Senate Human Services Committee voted to amend a bill that raises the personal‑needs allowance for long‑term care recipients and advanced the bill to appropriations.

Committee members discussed how the allowance — whose statutory level had not kept pace with inflation — affects residents’ ability to pay for small personal items, hair care, gifts and phone service. Several senators described real‑world examples of how limited monthly personal funds make ordinary purchases difficult.

Senator Rohrs moved an amendment to set the personal‑needs allowance at $150 per month; Senator Weston seconded the amendment. Senators then approved the amendment by voice or recorded roll call and the committee recorded ayes from Senators Lee, Weston, Roars, Hogan, Van Osteen and Clemens. The motion to give the bill a due‑pass recommendation as amended and to refer it to appropriations was then moved (Senator Rohrs) and seconded (Senator Weston) and passed on roll call with the same recorded ayes.

Committee members noted the amendment increases fiscal exposure; staff estimated that a $10 increase produces roughly $1 million in biennial cost, and members discussed balancing resident needs with budget constraints. The committee adopted the $150 figure and referred the bill to appropriations for fiscal review.","Committee amended and advanced legislation raising the monthly personal‑needs allowance for residents in long‑term care programs from the prior statutory level to $150 per month; amendment passed unanimously and the committee voted to refer the bill to appropriations.",{"_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},6127380,"Senate Human Services committee advances $16 million grant proposal to expand inpatient behavioral‑health beds in Bismarck",1848,6844000,8692000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663462-ea34bb4ebe02362dc7115d84d0f69c19&start=6844&end=8692","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663462-ea34bb4ebe02362dc7115d84d0f69c19/thumbnail_6844000.jpg","/articles/6127380/North-Dakota/Senate-Human-Services-committee-advances-16-million-grant-proposal-to-expand-inpatient-behavioralhealth-beds-in-Bismarck","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127380-d862764361aa5f18cbeaa9ef421b795d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150824&Signature=ifFn7HaF7a1kAZDH~HbJk-Js-TyI7B4VigWaP1YQ7rUv3IbszIqAUoKY5lsM~WgKkg7yaBib0MvJ06KyMHyFyzd50hsUbSnFdiSYsv6h7jxmaeYTeXX5-jXTCdA~6SC36QIVo2aCayKWMTHlvYv1izoUdBxLO7fjH7siJ6wCWEUZwqSb6e4nurFzbdDjEVIho~gIQBez3~lrJO8uGHbdFC7eHa0WCyrzbWNfZE20prVF8RJIDbObOaX~T-nifT28D7B4hu~wHoJfyykj2UlUnT1tvclw6Kt8o-l7jFEVU~BHN6N9a6bmBxVJKJApZn2iibtab6d4a9lRic6p-42NUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 1468 would appropriate $16 million to the Department of Health and Human Services to fund a behavioral health facility grant intended to expand inpatient behavioral‑health capacity in central North Dakota. Representative Glenn Bosch told the Senate Human Services Committee the grant recipient must create 30 new inpatient behavioral‑health beds, operate the facility for ten years and submit documentation of adequate staffing plans.

Saint Alexius Medical Center officials told the committee the project is ‘‘shovel ready’’ because the hospital can retrofit an existing, unused fourth floor. Sister Nancy Miller, director of mission integration, said the hospital’s community health needs assessment identified behavioral health as the top need in the region and that youth rates of depression and suicidal ideation have risen. Rami Kudrna, Saint Alexius chief nursing officer, said preliminary demand estimates show an unmet need of 37 beds for central North Dakota and the retrofit would create 48 single rooms (a net increase of 30 beds). Kudrna said the requested $16 million would fund capital construction; Saint Alexius would assume start‑up and operational costs and has begun recruiting staff and psychiatrists.

Several witnesses — including the North Dakota Hospital Association, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch and human‑service zone directors — supported the proposal as a step in expanding the state’s behavioral‑health continuum of care. Lawmakers discussed workforce and licensure issues and whether the project would overlap with State Hospital plans; Saint Alexius representatives said the project is complementary, with a focus on adolescent services and partnerships with the state hospital for adult forensic and geriatric care.

The committee voted to advance the bill. A motion for a due‑pass recommendation was moved by Senator Hogan and seconded by Senator Rohrs; the roll call recorded aye votes from Senators Lee, Weston, Arras, Hogan, Van Osteen and Clemens and the motion passed 6‑0. Senator Roars volunteered to carry the bill to the next stage.

Saint Alexius told the committee construction could begin in October and would take about 12 months, with a targeted opening in September 2026. The hospital said it plans to staff the unit using a mix of internal staff development, agency and international recruitment and telepsychiatry resources.","Committee voted 6‑0 to give House Bill 1468 a due‑pass recommendation and referred it to appropriations. The bill would provide $16 million to Saint Alexius Medical Center to retrofit an unused floor into a 48‑room behavioral‑health inpatient unit (net +30 beds); the hospital said it would assume operating costs.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6127385,"Committee hears request to study 'self‑spreading' vaccine technology and risks",4015,2801000,6816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663462-ea34bb4ebe02362dc7115d84d0f69c19&start=2801&end=6816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663462-ea34bb4ebe02362dc7115d84d0f69c19/thumbnail_2801000.jpg","/articles/6127385/North-Dakota/Committee-hears-request-to-study-selfspreading-vaccine-technology-and-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127385-51598b4d11db96acd0d51c04a30bf320/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150824&Signature=jse1618E4-1Eyhjd1kVEimc85ajqF-82MI5V3f~vX7zIHiUsi7NBybJfdd4W0ps9WEWob8O~R0sg3OfCllZtyUtusneV3h4moGGv-uJ1~sp8fPpvCLha57qTay1FbynhNjH6DNOKvq5BZAal0H4cPXIupqjjUBsclqV07s6DLZAiTTYdElbaznkrBzECW9l3hE1dGqezdKBh0kgeiQTXn2SvTGGRR3-xDpVnz~zpC4G5syTA4JuNskHifaxM8u89Pv3rpTZplYQt4mI7Rwg8V7uSavQFYN88vZjfWYS-apWb6vxe82AD2vRtcvkAxEb4lQyXRFxQ6gINBa7~6ub17g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Donna Henderson introduced House Bill 1458 seeking a legislative study on \"self‑spreading\" or self‑replicating viral and RNA vaccine technologies. Henderson told the committee she and others are concerned about research that, she said, could permit replication or transmission of engineered RNA elements beyond an intended recipient and asked lawmakers to study risks, impacts and possible guardrails.

Henderson described scientific commentary and controversy about a class of self‑replicating mRNA vaccines that amplify antigen production within recipient cells. She cited comments attributed to an academic in Tokyo and warned of a hypothetical “shedding” or transfer risk; she asked the committee to authorize a study rather than an immediate ban so legislators could gather expert evidence before deciding on policy.

Remote witness Charlene Nelson urged the committee to act now to commission study and said she had provided links and documents to the committee record. She compared the issue to prior debates over gain‑of‑function research and said a study would give the legislature options for protective rules before technologies are deployed.

Committee members asked sponsors how a study would be scoped and which experts would be summoned; Henderson said a study would bring in scientific experts, public‑health agencies and private research entities to collect data and make recommendations. Senators also expressed skepticism about legislatures solving highly technical virology questions but acknowledged the possible value of a targeted, expert‑led study.

No opposition testimony was recorded in the transcript and the committee did not record a vote in the hearing portion available in the transcript. The committee closed the public hearing after taking remote testimony.","Representative Donna Henderson asked the Senate Human Services Committee to authorize a study of self‑replicating, potentially transmissible RNA vaccine technologies. Supporters urged caution and study; no opposition testimony was heard in committee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate Human Services hears bill to guarantee parent access to minor’s medical exam room

Senate Human Services committee raises personal‑needs allowance for long‑term residents to $150 and advances bill

Senate Human Services committee advances $16 million grant proposal to expand inpatient behavioral‑health beds in Bismarck

Committee hears request to study 'self‑spreading' vaccine technology and risks