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House unanimously approves bill defining ‘host home’ and expanding Medicaid service purchases for people with developmental disabilities
Summary
The North Dakota House adopted the conference committee report and passed House Bill 1109, which clarifies a new definition of “host home,” expands the department’s authority to purchase services from Medicaid-enrolled providers, and includes an emergency clause. The vote was 92-0.
The North Dakota House on April 10 adopted the conference committee report and passed House Bill 1109, a measure that adds a statutory definition of “host home,” expands purchase-of-service authority for residential care and services for people with developmental disabilities, and contains an emergency clause to make the changes effective immediately.
Supporters said the changes align state law with person-centered standards and allow the Department of Health and Human Services more flexibility to contract with Medicaid-enrolled providers. Representative Jared Davis, carrying the conference committee report, told the House the senate amendments “enhance and clarify the bill,” including a definition of host home as “a community-based family environment that provides specialized intensive care to individuals with developmental disabilities who need out-of-home placement.” He said the amendments also expand the purchase-of-services section to permit the department to establish programs and buy necessary services from Medicaid-enrolled providers. Davis said no fiscal note is required because the changes are covered within the department’s budget using ARPA funds.
The conference committee report — which listed Representatives Rohrer, Davis and Hendricks and Senators Lee, Weston and Hogan as members — was moved for adoption and carried without debate. The clerk recorded a final vote of 92 yeas, 0 nays; House Bill 1109 was declared passed.
The bill reenacts and amends multiple sections of the North Dakota Century Code related to services and residential care for individuals with developmental disabilities and repeals one section relating to fee-for-service and rate-setting for developmentally disabled facilities. The emergency clause was retained in the conference report, meaning the sponsors intend the changes to take effect immediately upon enactment.
No amendments were offered on the floor after the conference report was read. Proponents said the bill is intended to expand community-based options and to ensure statutory language matches current program practice.
House action: the conference committee report was adopted and the bill passed. The clerk recorded the final tally as 92-0.
Looking ahead: As passed by the House, the measure moves forward in the legislative process per the usual enrollment and transmittal steps.
