[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6359943,"mediaKeyId","2175471-24f3f0793ef3d06f2253e3e0e9805954","parentId",2175471,"title","Working group revises veterinary practice bill; debate centers on telemedicine, foreign practitioners and impairment rules","audioSeconds",3569,"startMs",4674000,"endMs",1104509,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175471-24f3f0793ef3d06f2253e3e0e9805954&start=4674&end=1104","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175471-24f3f0793ef3d06f2253e3e0e9805954/thumbnail_4674000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359943/North-Dakota/Working-group-revises-veterinary-practice-bill-debate-centers-on-telemedicine-foreign-practitioners-and-impairment-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359943-1a1ad71d8153f7e90f2d2e8256b15ac0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771091400&Signature=FFiueK0bpj1P-7x4ssr3gLpQHIIczq0G9TwErh3Qn8i4ngl4p~U2OX6V-8WapNxX0YbXmI5yuezMyEhEZ73SFlxZo4pcGgVF7HmD7i50BEwdgV9JiiR5J823tPc~PCqUPCLTP57fx-MRlNqLPpWEWpB3p~DvZkMR6dDNjMtcdj-c91AnV3p4t-r7~leSABMopHhC-Sq17AjLhFZ3jwRE3nr5z9~wkd5vcRvQU-ZO44WWOxCgKHCgP0M8fTUtj9AdNJR53zpJYNZejRrcrKAmUm6K-05pGU8A7sHcjbiJlSeAnyzM7XTK-TDlsW7pK5qrj23vTdxJi~NdsdLGnAuvew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate Workforce Development, ND","date","2025-01-30T00:00:00Z","article","Lawmakers convened a working group on Senate Bill 2129 to reconcile proposals from the Veterinary Medical Examiners Board and the North Dakota Veterinary Medical Association over how the state will regulate veterinary practice, telemedicine, and related exceptions.

The nut graf: The group reviewed a set of proposed amendments and reached agreement on several items, while leaving open questions about whether statute should use the term \"accredited\" or a more flexible \"approved\" program definition, how out‑of‑state (\"foreign\") practitioners may provide telemedicine to animals in North Dakota, and how to treat voluntary self‑referral and impairment in disciplinary proceedings.

Dr. Lyons (representing the Veterinary Medical Examiners Board) reviewed 13 proposed amendments. The board proposed using the term \"approved program of veterinary medicine\" in statute so the accrediting organization could be named in administrative rule rather than written in code; the North Dakota Veterinary Medical Association (NDVMA) urged retaining the word \"accredited\" and naming the accrediting body in statute to preserve legislative oversight. NDVMA representatives said the American Veterinary Medical Association accreditation process has been the national standard for decades and urged that be reflected in law.

Telemedicine and the veterinarian‑client‑patient relationship (VCPR) drew extended discussion. The board and association agreed teletriage and teleadvice (general guidance, routing patients to care) are not the practice of veterinary medicine and do not require rules, but both parties recommended statutes give the board authority to adopt telemedicine rules. The working group discussed a point raised by the NDVMA and lobbyists: if a foreign practitioner licensed in another state establishes a VCPR under that other state's rules, should that satisfy North Dakota law? The group agreed to clarify that any VCPR that authorizes continued telemedicine for animals in North Dakota must meet North Dakota's statutory standard for establishing a VCPR (typically an initial in‑person examination in the state) unless the committee explicitly decides otherwise.

Panelists also negotiated exceptions to the licensed practice of veterinary medicine — for grooming, training, farrier work (horseshoeing), microchip implantation, massage or acupressure, and \"accepted livestock management practices.\" Witnesses asked the committee to avoid drafting a long, changing list in statute; the board said rulemaking can clarify particulars. Several witnesses sought explicit protection for non‑veterinary practitioners who perform routine tasks for animals, while underscoring that diagnosing, prescribing and treating remain the practice of veterinary medicine.

On disciplinary procedure, the working group discussed language to separate voluntary self‑referral for treatment or monitoring of impairment from formal complaint investigations. Assistant Attorney General Matt Mengi said proposed language was modeled on an existing physician health program statute and would allow the board to contract with a treatment/monitoring program while preserving confidentiality and clarifying when impairment alone constitutes discipline. Witnesses and the board agreed to draft language allowing voluntary participation in a treatment program and moving details of monitoring and treatment to administrative rule.

Other public testimony touched on narrow technical issues: farm groups asked that definitions of \"accepted livestock management practice\" align with agricultural best practices; groomers and farriers asked for clarity that routine non‑medical services remain permissible. Several practicing veterinarians spoke about fears of vague language; one urged clear time limits and documentation when a veterinarian terminates a client relationship to protect clinic staff and patient continuity of care.

Next steps: the group asked the board and NDVMA to continue negotiating three unresolved topics — accredited vs. approved program language, precise wording for foreign practitioner telemedicine and VCPR establishment, and the scope and wording for impairment and self‑referral provisions — and return with a cleaned draft for committee consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Workforce Development Jan 30, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A Senate working group met to reconcile competing proposals in Senate Bill 2129, focusing on telemedicine rules, how to treat out‑of‑state practitioners and how the board should handle impairment and voluntary treatment programs.","taxTitle","Workforce Development, Senate, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28910,"location","North Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359948,"Fargo senator seeks $500,000 for school mastery framework training grants",2215,2145000,4360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175471-24f3f0793ef3d06f2253e3e0e9805954&start=2145&end=4360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175471-24f3f0793ef3d06f2253e3e0e9805954/thumbnail_2145000.jpg","/articles/6359948/North-Dakota/Fargo-senator-seeks-500000-for-school-mastery-framework-training-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359948-f0ab466d45a2e11d9850b07021037141/orig.mp4?Expires=1771091400&Signature=W2DPTXFSfA0ce5bEkOzJStzmALNmGJQMcRq7i5tlK~KbTclj4x8WKO6R3hyvVd~cWgCrhf5kg-juy9qbf7GR~eKnqXmCxFbOt7fWTTHOwNkbHal5Ah0HIOaciq1FSyH1y7ULymHFT7BsxrQDo6PSfMxJZ4uGFQCE4pRYzC6goDybCRy1fGP-tzxKSHTaCZheNOZyvgvjrZxXzFxlWLLFgi~wb7nWIG8CAalDq1E2VhWcNUiF1A4U2Sc971QZj7Fy48Fd7ssza9HTWSqJplGJjnXcQBvAkgLygCegoVfDNB7xrGFeN-yTMaSZgCTSEP10ZKG~GL-gLmalmp3fiXz-6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Ryan Ronberger, R‑District 10, told the Senate Workforce Development Committee he sponsored Senate Bill 2263 to provide a one‑time appropriation of $500,000 to help school districts develop mastery‑based education frameworks. \"The purpose of SB 2263 is to support school district teams in developing and implementing mastery based education frameworks,\" Ronberger said, adding the grants would pay stipends for teachers to work additional days on innovation work.

Why it matters: Supporters said North Dakota law already permits mastery frameworks as an alternate graduation pathway but that too few districts have implemented the frameworks because school teams lack paid time to do the deep collaborative work required. They said the proposal would fund teacher teams to design competency‑based models that other districts could reuse.

Mark Vollmer, former superintendent and K‑12 Coordination Council member, said the bill would leverage in‑state talent and avoid expensive outside consultants. Dr. Sarah Ricks, instructional coach at Dickinson Middle School and chair of the support and innovation subcommittee, told the committee a recurring barrier is time: teams need time \"without students present\" to design mastery frameworks and personalized learning models, and the grant would \"buy the time\" by paying teachers for extra days outside their contract.

The bill would allow each school team to request up to $25,000 to fund up to 10 additional working days for a district team; districts may apply multiple times but could not receive more than $75,000 in total. Prioritization would favor districts that have completed leadership training and demonstrated readiness. Supporters said $500,000 could fund roughly 20 school teams, creating a set of models across rural and urban districts that others could adopt.

Department of Public Instruction staff and other witnesses urged accountability measures: districts would report results to the Department and share finished frameworks statewide. Witnesses noted previous philanthropic pilots and district investments in personalized learning but said the requested appropriation would expand participation to schools that lack private grant funds.

Committee members asked about safeguards if districts take funds but do not complete implementation; sponsor Ronberger said accountability and reporting to the Department of Public Instruction could be written into program rules, and he was open to requiring repayment in case of non‑completion. The hearing included detailed discussion about how mastery frameworks differ from routine professional development and how the grants would aim for targeted work rather than general PD.","Senate Bill 2263 would allocate one‑time funds to let school teams pay stipends and buy time to design mastery/competency‑based education frameworks; proponents said lack of time, not lack of will, prevents more districts from adopting mastery models.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359953,"Senate committee hears bill to create statewide apprenticeship grant program",1847,200000,2047000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175471-24f3f0793ef3d06f2253e3e0e9805954&start=200&end=2047","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175471-24f3f0793ef3d06f2253e3e0e9805954/thumbnail_200000.jpg","/articles/6359953/North-Dakota/Senate-committee-hears-bill-to-create-statewide-apprenticeship-grant-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359953-abd4804d44201871fcf5aa4c83f6f5eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771091400&Signature=KUiOklD8pZko2yjH7RbRWSu7DBbHlmaAvJeWQ9Uq3ZYx1c1q5P3~8JYUcnvxQxdToRZnbpew-Bx4BzIueuqS2eljIatDFoywWg9WXN2nr5k0pJVxBfbY761vPX4SAeYztHIxmQFvGpxc~kYPAGDtlZuH9WXDOQGJgax39tp063qYP3RNYRosVDaZiCWcCaKHekBPuRW5hwCV8-BBlCVEhf~7YUW5OYQf85HMbyb7NYPiQkip-zVoYX-gyVZtFBuQaGdoDL9YX-XfT1WF72chXnm7QOaTtozAwbCTnHT0qQyNdAi5Te82PsLPUySrbtPqA17MFYL-0wkrSlW1urXs-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Josh Beauchez, District 44, introduced Senate Bill 2239 to the Senate Workforce Development Committee, saying the bill \"would create a grant program to support apprenticeships throughout the state.\" The bill is intended to help people afford start‑up costs for registered apprenticeships and to expand apprenticeship opportunities beyond traditional trades into healthcare, technology, manufacturing and public service.

The nut graf: Supporters told the committee the proposal closes a gap created when the Legislature expanded the North Dakota Scholarship last session to cover apprenticeships but left GPA eligibility rules that exclude many apprenticeship candidates. The bill would provide a separate grant program for apprentices who do not qualify for the scholarship or who face upfront costs such as tools and work boots.

Testimony in support came from state officials and workforce partners. Zachary Greenberg, interim commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights, recommended the apprenticeship office be housed within Job Service North Dakota, saying that would create \"consistency in program administration\" and \"maximize employer engagement.\" Phil Davis, workforce services director at Job Service North Dakota, told the panel Job Service tracks employers and apprentices in the RAPIDS system and said North Dakota currently lists 103 employers and 1,765 apprentices in that federal registry.

Katie Ralston Howe, workforce director for the Department of Commerce and executive director of the North Dakota Workforce Development Council, said apprentices often face upfront costs and that the proposed grant would remove a barrier to entry. Wade Sik, state director for the Department of Career and Technical Education, said SB 2239 focuses on apprentices’ needs at the time they enter programs, not on past academic records.

Several witnesses noted a related House bill, HB 1036, which would create a Division of Apprenticeship; panelists urged the committee to align SB 2239 with HB 1036 so the grant program and any apprenticeship office operate in the same agency. Witnesses said that if Job Service were assigned the apprenticeship office, the administrative costs for the grant could be absorbed if HB 1036 included funding for three full‑time equivalent staff.

Committee questions covered GPA eligibility, industries targeted by the grant, coordination with employer‑provided supports, and typical apprenticeship duration and costs. Davis said, based on RAPIDS data, apprenticeships in the state range from roughly six months to four years; one witness who completed an apprenticeship estimated initial participant expenses at about $2,000, though witnesses said a precise average cost was \"not specified.\" Several witnesses recommended rules to prevent duplicate payments when employers or other scholarship programs already cover specific costs.

The committee closed the hearing on SB 2239 after receiving supportive testimony from business groups including the Greater North Dakota Chamber and the National Federation of Independent Business, and from stakeholders who recommended making sure the program administration aligns with where the apprenticeship office is ultimately placed.","The Senate Workforce Development Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2239, which would create a grant program to help apprentices pay upfront costs. Supporters said the program addresses gaps left by an expanded North Dakota scholarship and urged alignment with a separate bill to house apprenticeship services in Job Service North Dakota.","actionData","errors"]

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Working group revises veterinary practice bill; debate centers on telemedicine, foreign practitioners and impairment rules

Fargo senator seeks $500,000 for school mastery framework training grants

Senate committee hears bill to create statewide apprenticeship grant program