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Committee hears updates to ND geropsychiatric facility law; supporters say changes align process, advocates urge community services
Summary
House committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 20‑81 to modernize admission rules for gero‑psychiatric units in skilled nursing facilities. DHHS and long‑term care providers supported the bill; Protection & Advocacy urged building community services and limiting institutional expansion.
Chairman Ruby opened a hearing on Senate Bill 20‑81, which would amend North Dakota Century Code Chapter 50‑24.4‑29 to update admission and service rules for geropsychiatric facilities in skilled nursing homes.
Pam Sagness, Executive Director of Behavioral Health at the Department of Health and Human Services, said the bill removes a statutory requirement that the North Dakota State Hospital always perform an admission evaluation for patients heading to gero‑psychiatric units. “By removing this language, it allows the avoidance of unnecessary evaluations by the North Dakota State Hospital,” Sagness said, adding that the change lets a qualified provider’s assessment permit direct transfer and prioritizes state hospital referrals when openings exist.
Sagness said the department…
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