Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Corrections Healthcare topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee turns Senate Bill 2191 into study on local correctional health services; amendment adopted unanimously
Summary
Senate Bill 2191 was amended to create a 'Local correctional facilities health care services study' to review federal and state requirements, county funding patterns and best practices for jail health care; the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill as amended on a 6‑0 roll call.
The Senate Human Services Committee unanimously adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 2191 on a proposal to create a study of health care services in local correctional facilities and then voted to pass the amended bill.
The amendment—introduced by Senator Hogan and seconded by Senator Rohrs—rewrote the bill to require Legislative Management to consider a study titled "Local correctional facilities health care services study." The study will review state and federal requirements for health care in local jails, examine funding patterns for local correctional health care, evaluate workforce and service shortfalls, and explore best practices and alternative models, including research through the National Conference of State Legislatures or the Council of State Governments.
The sponsor explained the change was prompted by a judge in southeast North Dakota who asked the legislature to examine inconsistent jail health care across counties, the committee report said. The amendment designates the study as a "shall consider" study—meaning it will be eligible for interim study consideration but is not automatically mandated.
On a roll call the committee voted 6‑0 to adopt the amendment (Senator Lee: aye; Senator Weston: aye; Senator Rohrs: aye; Senator Hogan: aye; Senator Van Osteen: aye; Senator Clemens: aye). After no further discussion, the committee voted 6‑0 to give the amended bill a do‑pass recommendation and re‑refer it according to committee process.
Committee members said the study should identify baseline service levels that smaller or poorer counties can meet and consider how the state could supplement counties that cannot fund needed care. Witnesses and senators discussed the particular costs of treating conditions such as hepatitis C in short‑term county custody and the potential long‑term savings if care is provided earlier.
The amendment and do‑pass recommendation were adopted by voice or roll call as recorded; a volunteer was identified to carry the measure forward.
