Senate appropriations panel approves $50,000 to fund physician instructional program on North Dakota abortion law

The Appropriations — Education and Environment Division recommended funding a one-time $50,000 appropriation for House bill 15-11 to create an online instructional program for physicians explaining North Dakota law on abortion.

The program would be produced under contract, placed on the Board of Medicine’s website for physician use and reviewed for legal accuracy by the attorney general, lawmakers were told. The committee voted to give the bill a “do pass” recommendation by voice and roll call; the vote was recorded as unanimous among members voting.

Sponsor Jan Amyrdahl told the committee the appropriation would create “an online instructional program for physicians in North Dakota, explaining the law and how it relates to a physician that’s involved in the care of women in pregnancy.” She said the appropriation is one-time and that the attorney general would review the content for legal accuracy: “It’s a one-time appropriation and the AG will approve it.”

Why it matters: The committee…