Appropriators approve amendment to designate general fund as source for forensic-exam reimbursements

The Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division voted to adopt an amendment and gave a due-pass recommendation on Senate Bill 2292, which clarifies the funding source for reimbursement of forensic medical examinations and forensic interviews provided to survivors of sexual assault and other abuse.

John Godfrey, representing the Insurance Commissioner, explained that the bill does not change the dollar amount appropriated historically for forensic medical exam reimbursements but redesignates the funding source. He said the Insurance Regulatory Trust Fund had borne the costs historically (dating back to a 2007 appropriation) but recent statutory and structural changes — including a $2.4 million-per-biennium designation to the North Dakota Firefighters Association and movement of the fire marshal’s office under the Insurance Department — have created cash-flow deficits in the trust fund. Godfrey said the…