Committee hears bill to require one‑hour CME on North Dakota abortion law for physicians who practice obstetrics

Representative Karen Rohrer introduced House Bill 1511, a measure to develop a one‑hour instructional continuing medical education (CME) module about North Dakota abortion law for physicians who practice obstetrics and tie completion to license renewal for those practitioners.

In opening remarks Rohrer said meetings had been held with the attorney general’s office, the governor’s legal counsel, the North Dakota Board of Medicine and stakeholder groups while drafting the bill. Dr. Jerry O'Brige, a longtime obstetrician and co‑presenter, described the proposal as a short, nonpartisan educational module designed to reduce clinician fear and confusion about the practical application of existing statute. "I envision a 1‑hour instructional module performed online with 1 hour of continuing medical education," Dr. O'Brige said, adding he expected the course to be free to participants and count toward existing CME requirements.

Why the bill was proposed

Supporters told the committee they hear ongoing anxiety among physicians about how to interpret the state’s…