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Committee backs shifting funding for forensic exams to the general fund
Summary
The House Human Services Committee recommended Senate Bill 2,292, which would move reimbursement funding for forensic medical examinations from the Insurance Regulatory Trust Fund to the general fund to secure a dedicated appropriation.
The House Human Services Committee voted to recommend Senate Bill 2,292, which would designate the general fund as the funding source for reimbursements to health care providers that perform acute forensic medical examinations for sexual assault victims.
Rachel Kriegi, administrative division director at the North Dakota Insurance Department, told the committee the Insurance Regulatory Trust Fund has been the reimbursement source since a 2007 appropriation but recent legislation moved other obligations into that fund and created cash‑flow strains. Kriegi said shifting the reimbursement appropriation to the general fund would provide a dedicated and more stable source for the service.
Craig Kosowski of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of North Dakota and testimony from Central Dakota Forensic Nurse Examiners, submitted for the record, described federal grant constraints and the fact that forensic interviews and some medical examinations are not covered by private insurance; Kosowski said charging families would be inappropriate and the change would preserve a public reimbursement mechanism.
Representative Anderson moved a do‑pass recommendation and referral to appropriations; Representative Dobrevich seconded. The committee roll call recorded the motion as adopted.
Ending: Supporters urged stable funding so that families are not billed for forensic evidence collection; the committee advanced the bill to appropriations.
