[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6111198,"mediaKeyId","2752840-694850477d004a399b0db0804043a602","parentId",2752840,"title","Committee advances amended consolidation of vaccine opt-out rules after extensive debate","audioSeconds",4122,"startMs",3443350,"endMs",7565805,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2752840-694850477d004a399b0db0804043a602&start=3443&end=7565","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2752840-694850477d004a399b0db0804043a602/thumbnail_3443350.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6111198/North-Dakota/Committee-advances-amended-consolidation-of-vaccine-opt-out-rules-after-extensive-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6111198-5cd1f1eeadcf2e9da15921ccf58682db/orig.mp4?Expires=1775486481&Signature=X8Qoh7RKAVQTuyxj7vP5S0OZVUFjRO0Xep8ABQLvNIFoqbVSGQd0~14KsBSY4ny5lvWPeluOfis5qKRqeKIK32Wz8-GW2WdfTqQCVs-GKWaBwatGOaFPP2y0lQtg6gwk8QlU8E82FkU41CijV6~V0IQcU3~V~rNO5FLRAjIF3aRcFT6a7UPjotC-wRDNPH8-xJ3SFX8OHzxycLC-fMDv3WV3xwaUEkyRtvjvX~9A64UYyvo0b670K8f8IBi3lRtOaPB~cMC5jMHCMRkmv~MxAIQMdTY0G2zQHkNMt9fXWOf3YOdtyA4MgnjHZnja8ev70uZgvs~iHZQPwPJ4qzOxrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota Legislature","date","2025-03-24T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Human Services Committee spent an extended period discussing a bill that would centralize vaccine opt-out and transparency provisions into one section of statute. Department staff and multiple senators urged caution, saying the draft as introduced could conflict with existing, topic-specific code and federal requirements.

Lisonbee Hicks, general counsel for the Public Health Division of the Department of Health and Human Services, told the committee the bill “does summarize the laws that are already there,” but cautioned the engrossed bill omitted exceptions and cross-references found throughout the Century Code. Hicks recommended amendments to avoid conflicts with school vaccination statutes, correctional facility rules and other existing provisions.

The committee considered amendments suggested by Molly Howell and others to ensure the consolidated language did not override specific statutory exceptions. The amendment was revised on the floor of the committee to add local public health units and human service zones to certain provisions and to clarify references to school vaccine provisions. After debate, the committee first defeated a motion to give the bill a \"do not pass\" recommendation, then later voted to give the amended bill a do-pass recommendation by roll call.

Committee members raised operational concerns about implementing broad price- or service-transparency mandates and the practical difficulties of standardizing health-cost disclosures; a related hospital-cost-transparency proposal was discussed earlier but not acted on during the same session.

The committee passed the bill as amended and designated a carrier to carry it to the floor. Members asked staff to review executive orders and other recent guidance that might affect how the consolidated statute would operate with federal rules.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Human Services Mar 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee debated a bill that would consolidate vaccine opt-out rules into a single statutory section. Members and department staff raised concerns about conflicts with existing code and federal law. The committee adopted an amended version that adds exemptions and cross-references and passed the bill by committee vote.","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},6111202,"Committee expands dental Medicaid study to include scope-of-practice and mid-level providers",902,2322745,3225234,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2752840-694850477d004a399b0db0804043a602&start=2322&end=3225","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2752840-694850477d004a399b0db0804043a602/thumbnail_2322745.jpg","/articles/6111202/North-Dakota/Committee-expands-dental-Medicaid-study-to-include-scope-of-practice-and-mid-level-providers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6111202-8f6eb9326ace55631cd50f1417ee4603/orig.mp4?Expires=1775486481&Signature=I6K3CQmUHSHxy0MDvSvBiHyR0vv-SbdYVq89luYFAcBiu9j0T8Q2XvvhoPRVd98GJ~Nw0AJGPnMhoLjZC0iaawH7XeoFQ5mMyuHNAG9X9MxOBElM0gwSdI~7pBJOmRfNg0wFmwKBYcvQkTr91GMOsr~ajmljBfyDAb4w02GuGAqOk6OwWaLpPpSxwWpDTleXpDXgpjRxG3gW1cmuMVBsVRQYidHffkL2hbVBbOC-kAnae5PPiPpk0GaSlgF14tjb2Txmvitb4PCdHFBSOf6BT9PRdbhXYevfpITMpTZKDQOT-fsH6LD96l1rkvycpQIQQPdkwonUgkGJqoPks70d3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Human Services Committee amended House Bill 1567 to add a requested word in the data language and broaden the study’s scope to include unmet dental needs, scope-of-practice considerations and additional provider types such as dental therapists and mid-level providers. The amended bill passed the committee by roll call.

Committee members discussed workforce shortages, reimbursement, and the potential role dental therapists and hygienists could play in expanding access. One lawmaker described Minnesota’s experience, noting dental therapists there have performed a defined set of procedures for more than a decade and can increase access to care in underserved areas.

Specifically, the committee approved an amendment to insert the word “plans” after “current” in a data provision (page and line referenced in committee) and added a new, freestanding study element authorizing the review of scope of practice and additional provider types. Senator Hogan offered the amendment and Senator Rohrs seconded; the motion to pass the bill as amended was moved by Senator Weston and seconded by Senator Hogan. The roll call recorded unanimous support in committee.

Committee members considered but did not add back a separate appropriation request (roughly $97,000) to reimburse out-of-state dental students doing rotations; some members expressed concern that the reimbursement topic was separate from the study’s core purpose.","Senate Human Services amended House Bill 1567 to add 'plans' to a data request and to expand the Medicaid dental study to include scope-of-practice, dental therapists, hygienists, and other provider types; the amended bill passed the 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},6111207,"Committee amends long-term care loan fund: $100 million proposal and 2% target earn committee support",517,1650250,2168045,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2752840-694850477d004a399b0db0804043a602&start=1650&end=2168","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2752840-694850477d004a399b0db0804043a602/thumbnail_1650250.jpg","/articles/6111207/North-Dakota/Committee-amends-long-term-care-loan-fund-100-million-proposal-and-2-target-earn-committee-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6111207-f3ff637c72d19c119cb2ccbb57aaa798/orig.mp4?Expires=1775486481&Signature=QObSajJ4p5sqDvItUrSxozCMRBUFhWIVmGsfyrM4xBzYRrbcBxuok3HCFGvm-BCxoC3fBEKA6O76jmQEqcDZ9n7lmhE-W82QdZrHlOyc90UhTkRuMjCnB1KxIBYec8nIbr6-9zqvmSwh5cj0oH7fHLK-k5xmalQlW1v9m884Gl-ZOkLb12k2RnrVVkATH6CvbcdFIopu778m8AIlPbjGnpcTziA9NrM7lWOKd7xoN1wcPVr8DFAAHnSUIxqzpxa0rK9OX5cyqQe8tLSJIuaKTT9iKnxvP679df3aEwRSGmRgx~4fZDLJCZZs0G~1g8DaSySUPddVHky2QstGtLwiFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Human Services Committee amended Senate Bill 1619 to raise a proposed loan-fund authorization to $100 million and preserved a 2% interest-rate target, then voted to give the bill a do-pass recommendation as amended and re-refer it to the Appropriations Committee.

Discussion focused on two levers: total fund size and the interest rate for revolving loans. Several members said the dollar total is a priority because a single large project could exhaust a small fund; others said a 2% rate is reasonable to avoid losing public money while still offering favorable terms to long-term care facilities. \"I think the 2% does cover the cost,\" one member said.

Senator Rohrs moved an amendment to raise the fund to $100,000,000; Senator Weston seconded. The amendment passed on a 4–2 roll call. Members then moved a do-pass as amended and re-refer to appropriations. After a roll call the committee approved the motion by a 6–0 vote (recorded as 6–0 in committee proceedings); a carrier volunteered to take the bill to the floor.

Members repeatedly noted this is public money and that legacy loan-fund programs have used 2% as a standard to preserve capital. Senators also discussed that the exact appropriation level and final interest rate could be further adjusted in conference or appropriations.","Senate Bill 1619, a proposal to establish or replenish a Long Term Care Loan Fund, was amended in committee to increase the proposed authorization to $100 million and to retain a 2% interest target; the committee voted to pass the bill as amended and re-refer it to appropriations.",{"_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},6111212,"Committee backs aerospace medicine bill with appropriation, citing workforce and safety",241,1385265,1626320,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2752840-694850477d004a399b0db0804043a602&start=1385&end=1626","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2752840-694850477d004a399b0db0804043a602/thumbnail_1385265.jpg","/articles/6111212/North-Dakota/Committee-backs-aerospace-medicine-bill-with-appropriation-citing-workforce-and-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6111212-0bdb4bfbfa620a153e815d30df07b9c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775486481&Signature=L7jbtE4-JpvEauIfX7rf7aMdidvGJRmJrfeO6h3yAawdFfe8-7k1buFzsxFjo~Ty8bNL8PSI0VRFaFqbMM~eczsVVWXezgA16QNTdj0ghMR-6ukVLGsK0U4o-zx50AHa--tp1uhDOOSoh1E~iCOn0npkN3cEHlsrXjAVzJkWhY-NJRfN36ywUrsfrfPLwbhC~K0ntoiTmsHOqZvRnUTspOHuVdL8UjPR2e1CtZo3hh9tDCvVQsT5Ipe5OA6nqeep5VL~xBbXv-ellrnDUCwv-rgqYWY9uVBNY3eYX7GOIhRchLeLZcmscfCQV-RRhj1WHm6r62g2A2FRiMPL~IkumA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Human Services Committee voted 5–1 to recommend Senate Bill 1612, a bill that establishes an aerospace medicine system and includes an appropriation, after members said testimony convinced them the measure addresses distinct mental-health and workforce issues in aerospace fields.

Senator Van Osteen and others said they initially questioned carving out a separate system but were persuaded by testimony and examples linking aerospace-specific mental-health needs to workforce retention and licensing. \"When you see how uniquely it affects their ability to work, it does seem to be and then it's it fits in the right place,\" Senator Van Osteen said.

Senator Hogan moved a do-pass recommendation on the bill; Senator Rohrs seconded. The roll call recorded Senator Lee—aye; Senator Weston—aye; Senator Rohrs—aye; Senator Hogan—aye; Senator Van Osteen—aye; Senator Clemens—no. The vote was 5–1.

Committee speakers emphasized that tailored protocols and a dedicated system could allow aviation personnel to address mental-health issues without unnecessarily jeopardizing licenses. One senator cautioned the approach is a \"double-edged sword,\" noting concerns both that it could increase leniency in licensing and that some currently reluctant individuals might seek help if assurances exist.

The committee forwarded the bill with a do-pass recommendation; members did not adopt amendments in committee.","Senate Bill 1612, creating an aerospace medicine system with an appropriation, received a 5–1 do-pass recommendation after committee members said testimony persuaded them the bill addresses unique mental-health needs in aerospace occupations.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6111217,"Senate Human Services committee gives 1473 a do-pass amid 340B program concerns",594,816305,1411150,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2752840-694850477d004a399b0db0804043a602&start=816&end=1411","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2752840-694850477d004a399b0db0804043a602/thumbnail_816305.jpg","/articles/6111217/North-Dakota/Senate-Human-Services-committee-gives-1473-a-do-pass-amid-340B-program-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6111217-22692fbd16a328c58842c9faf861bf63/orig.mp4?Expires=1775486481&Signature=WxFte0qva3tp-rFfNj~1-JbSyZR~-gUgMSKRsX2PEvV1zSalsLryI285zjJSqfWld5G1mJrfkyMzoVPBajqKEnhbzz1FPRpEScYQTnsJaIjTEqQcEHnLVMo2OhEC~sqE16PmeUiKJaRWkky1NCzDfD4pvYbLJYat2YU1SwPUiHhkzuMMEUzorwVgjGwfnutJjv0vhPcGH6Ypb4w06qlu5i~tpBVnLQ3vtokQPatQ725ywuhk3UUdzZl7Dw73moAeA8p0mOx65lg5nl4jzaNxELB0diflleDmclCd01KCwHXgI~~eyoCBv7h1g5TlFg5bBK1ETIyGAJZPOYRQA-Fbtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Human Services Committee on Monday voted 5-1 to give Senate Bill 1473 a do-pass recommendation after members discussed whether the bill’s restrictions on drug manufacturers would unfairly affect local providers that rely on the federal 340B program.

Committee Chair Senator Lee convened the discussion by reminding members that “1473, as we will recall, relates to prohibited acts of drug manufacturers,” and noting the bill had generated substantial testimony in the House from Representative John Nelson and others.

Senator O'Brien said the bill raised particular concern in the committee’s state because of how pharmacies operate here. “Because of our unique pharmacy structure … and based on my experience with working with the 340B and particularly the community health care centers, I know how effective this program has been,” O’Brien said, adding she had not seen documentation of widespread misuse. O’Brien moved “a due pass on 1473 without amendments.” Senator Hogan moved the recommendation and Senator Weston seconded it.

During debate, members noted national reports and audits that had been presented to the committee but questioned their relevance to this state’s pharmacy structure. Senator Lee said federal rules had not changed and that many audited participants had been found compliant. Senator Clemens voted no when the roll was called.

The committee recorded the roll call: Senator Lee—aye; Senator Weston—aye; Senator Rohrz—aye; Senator Hogan—aye; Senator Van Osteen—aye; Senator Clemens—no. The tally was 5–1 in favor of a do-pass recommendation.

Because the committee’s discussion repeatedly referenced the federal 340B program and audits, several members said the bill should move forward so the Legislature can decide whether state-level changes are needed after further review.

The bill will be reported out by the committee as recommended. The committee did not adopt any amendments.","The Senate Human Services Committee voted 5-1 to give Senate Bill 1473 a do-pass recommendation after members discussed the bill’s effect on the 340B program and local pharmacies. Senator Hogan moved the recommendation; Senator Weston seconded.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances amended consolidation of vaccine opt-out rules after extensive debate

Committee expands dental Medicaid study to include scope-of-practice and mid-level providers

Committee amends long-term care loan fund: $100 million proposal and 2% target earn committee support

Committee backs aerospace medicine bill with appropriation, citing workforce and safety

Senate Human Services committee gives 1473 a do-pass amid 340B program concerns