[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6326832,"mediaKeyId","2323642-323ffe54e2f2d0d6f92c48481ed17dac","parentId",2323642,"title","Panel advances bill allowing infants to reside with incarcerated mothers in new Heart River facility","audioSeconds",1244,"startMs",5274000,"endMs",6518000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323642-323ffe54e2f2d0d6f92c48481ed17dac&start=5274&end=6518","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323642-323ffe54e2f2d0d6f92c48481ed17dac/thumbnail_5274000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6326832/North-Dakota/Panel-advances-bill-allowing-infants-to-reside-with-incarcerated-mothers-in-new-Heart-River-facility","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326832-ce01e54cc0bb60af7db54e7d1e27e1aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770954904&Signature=PvoEOFgUSrT81osXcCiaJgcDy8usPMsgtM6QAlPm9S6TjLo0RQ~Wxf9EhS43D6KJId8NvMs4ZpsWIPQrBLWHn1URKEe9JtU7X-3~2zgleC0b3RYL-RQXR0pt967HS73J81DDeVzM4MPxBfRoZw9omkdbj~DnU-2ZM9r5lVjBxom2G8CIcIUVGVqy8yEOvVFt2ZxWvqxelLKz83RmPWATty-tnBq9kQYVH9cqpnJIuw3EUD-0EG7FlcQPSWIxg0eAUh562R0oVNgFaCm7yBU8v1r7igGnGd8Yxh9bCF-Hu22IVOQFgqfQ~Zghgba~ujQQlefCGf~~Js-KbzdIGBIcvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-02-17T00:00:00Z","article","Cheryl Thomas, women's services manager with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, told the Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division that Senate Bill 2352 would authorize children to reside with their incarcerated mothers at the Heart River Correctional Centre for the first 18 months of the child's life. Thomas said the new women's facility being planned would include four apartments for that purpose and emphasized research showing early bonding supports child outcomes.

\"We appreciate the opportunity,\" Thomas said in committee testimony. \"We do feel at the DOCR this is a very important bill to ultimately maintain and foster that modeling and relationships and ultimately growing those stronger bonds between moms and babies.\" She told senators the judiciary committee had previously removed a section on liability and that policy and safety details would be developed in coordination with Department of Health and Human Services.

Thomas and other DOCR staff described operational details under consideration: a comprehensive application and screening process for mothers, caregiver staffing within the unit, expectations for mothers to participate in treatment and education, and normalization of parenting responsibilities. Thomas said the average length of stay in the women's population is about 18 months and that, in one recent year, the department recorded 13 births to women who passed through its facilities; the department used eight infants for its 18-month planning projection.

On finances, committee members noted the judiciary threshold for sending bills to appropriations (a $200,000 fiscal note) and that this bill carried a $100,000 fiscal note in the record. Thomas described the $100,000 as a preliminary placeholder for start-up items (diapers, supplies, furniture) and said she was seeking additional grant and donation opportunities; she said DOCR will pursue federal grants and partner agencies for items such as car seats and other necessities.

Committee members asked about long-term maintenance and who would pay for ongoing services. Thomas and senators said the Department of Health and Human Services would coordinate aspects related to family services and reunification; DOCR said the state would bear operating costs for the correctional facility and that many program expenses could be offset by lower foster-care costs and other public savings when mother and infant stay together.

Senators discussed timing and the evidence base: Thomas cited other states' programs (New York, Nebraska, Missouri) and said multiple states operate nursery programs; she said Missouri recently opened a facility and that several states report lower recidivism where mothers and infants remain together. The committee took a due-pass recommendation on SB 2352 and recorded a roll call; the motion carried unanimously in the hearing segment recorded.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Mon, Feb 17, 2025 8:30 AM-12:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division gave a due-pass recommendation to Senate Bill 2352, which would authorize infants to live with their incarcerated mothers at the Heart River Correctional Centre for up to 18 months while the state builds and operates a new women's facility.","taxTitle","Appropriations - Human Resources Division, Senate, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28901,"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},6326837,"Lawmakers hear request for $3 million line of credit to finish Fargo Veterans Memorial Center",607,2347000,2954000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323642-323ffe54e2f2d0d6f92c48481ed17dac&start=2347&end=2954","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323642-323ffe54e2f2d0d6f92c48481ed17dac/thumbnail_2347000.jpg","/articles/6326837/North-Dakota/Lawmakers-hear-request-for-3-million-line-of-credit-to-finish-Fargo-Veterans-Memorial-Center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326837-dcc5539e053494dfd5b673b6b4e75a31/orig.mp4?Expires=1770954904&Signature=DSK~hsANH2o4DS7CYUbPpoFBghzwf63zBU4dqTCnEdqyY9wsPA~ySic2K~sCPPGSh~U3kTDwIUkAe2MKR1cDPw0W4-MCqjfebLkbimcZ6fxDb6P3WV1w7Xm9QB16LslCagbgQn4TnQ0WnRLRiDsi3VRbcjqa5Lgm7emYxlFG79AFDD1IG7rDHshLhWhWsjUK61wYq69D89IElPJx01R~rs05JfDQ~bD7~TgO6SWT96SMlf2qBMVU0vTAQJtnS45I9rBD~BxlLcf~uSRGpZvCgU86uWM5yYSKVOefk9-HMQjDe4eRzxfo4CoqgXBajOYaxBBO9fota8ROEAY8BkpX4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State Senator Scott Meyer told the Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division that Senate Bill 2265 would authorize a contingent line of credit of $3 million to help finish a Veterans Memorial Center adjacent to the Fargo National Cemetery.

\"The $3,000,000 that you will see in front of you again with this line of credit will be used towards a gathering area to be used by family and friends of the deceased veteran prior to or following the interment,\" Meyer said. He described planned facilities including offices, a gallery, indoor restrooms, a garage for a hearse and a parking lot; site work and paving were estimated in testimony to add roughly $1 million.

Meyer and private project representatives said the land purchase and cemetery expansion to 35 acres were completed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the local nonprofit has been fundraising for construction. Jim McGrawlom, fundraiser/project coordinator for the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard, said the nonprofit is a 501(c)(3) and that, if built, the organization would donate the completed building to the VA for ownership and maintenance; McGrawlom said about $1.5 million in private funds are on hand.

Jason Hicks, commander of the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard, said the VA owns the land after recent federal purchases and \"they're gonna allow us to build on it\"; he said the nonprofit would manage construction and then hand the keys to the VA. Hicks and McGrawlom described operational problems at the current site—no permanent restroom or shelter for families, limited parking and winter conditions that left volunteers waiting in cars for ceremonies.

Meyer provided a project cost breakdown from architects and said the latest plan is a roughly 7,400-square-foot building estimated at about $500 per square foot (about $3.7 million) plus site prep and paving. He said the group raised about $1.5 million during recent fundraising and that private in-kind donations and pro bono architectural work are part of the financing plan; the state line of credit would be intended to bridge the remainder pending VA approval.

Committee members pressed presenters on why state funds are being requested for a facility at a national cemetery and on the division of responsibilities between federal and state cemeteries. Meyer and veterans' representatives said the VA's National Cemetery Administration had not provided construction funds for a building at this rural-initiative cemetery and that the VA would assume operating and maintenance costs after approving and accepting the donated building.

Questions from senators covered ownership (the VA owns the 35 acres), whether the facility would become federal property (presenters said yes, after donation), ongoing maintenance (the VA), flood and drainage issues at the site, and project timing. The nonprofit said it expects to start construction as soon as approvals are secured and estimated a possible completion by 2027 if fundraising and approvals align.

No formal committee vote on SB 2265 appears in the transcript excerpt.","Sen. Scott Meyer and local veterans and civic leaders asked the Senate panel to authorize a $3 million state line of credit to complete a veterans memorial facility at Fargo National Cemetery; proponents said the VA would assume ownership and ongoing costs after approving the project, and private fundraising has already raised about $1.5 million.",{"_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},6326841,"Senate bill would create apprenticeship grant of up to $3,000 to cover startup costs",341,459000,800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323642-323ffe54e2f2d0d6f92c48481ed17dac&start=459&end=800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323642-323ffe54e2f2d0d6f92c48481ed17dac/thumbnail_459000.jpg","/articles/6326841/North-Dakota/Senate-bill-would-create-apprenticeship-grant-of-up-to-3000-to-cover-startup-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326841-f3d966f47a4aa2c929b5565bd792d501/orig.mp4?Expires=1770954904&Signature=ggEV-Gzz20eQ0XS7eIAYDBs48jUwWWKOKuPFpv60rJDcgD5t2Ik~dxX5Mfzdo8vjmNKWf82F~v83qm52V0js0vNLIpno9Hnk8ObtQJIWct6Muj4bhJfB4Pcg0vMUU0OmCm5lBupQozscjlbMz-A7tNWxYiPHolAFtzFsODOTmXDmRWP0UGNTANu4FdX~SB3L8aTj4UUGP1gQAhJQ5Wx4zaksTip6vjKNugx~sOW1RRxco7nX2WZVuvFrw7OzpiJxMCfnutukwO7AoLXFIhq-1QZEzb9O4qhZezZ9OtJ6vvEbPUOWFGlV7tVxxyliEIi8lxPF8-AwZaptI9ArG6J8Xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Josh Baucher, sponsor of Senate Bill 2239, told the Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division that the bill \"would create a grant program to support apprenticeships throughout the state,\" aiming to help people cover startup costs such as tools, clothing and training materials.

The bill would create a standalone grant program, author Baucher said, after the state expanded the North Dakota Scholarship to cover registered apprenticeships and realized some people were ineligible because the scholarship requires a 2.75 minimum GPA. \"Several of the students who wish to access the North Dakota Scholarship for their registered apprenticeships didn't actually qualify for the scholarship because of GPA requirements,\" Baucher said.

SB 2239 would allow up to $3,000 in assistance within the first three years of a registered apprenticeship, with flexibility for how the money is distributed during that period. \"Rather than saying you only get a thousand dollars a year each year for 3 years, it just was decided to say, let's allow some flexibility,\" Baucher said. He and witnesses emphasized that the first year of most apprenticeships carries the largest upfront expense.

Wade Sick, State Director for the Department of Career and Technical Education, told the committee that a registered apprenticeship typically comprises three parts recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor: on-the-job training (about 2,000 hours per year on average), related technical instruction (about 144 hours) and progressive pay increases. Sick confirmed a registered apprenticeship may begin at age 16 under child-labor rules when supervised, and said apprentices are typically paid but at a lower rate early in the program.

Committee members asked how the program would operate: whether it applied to trade apprenticeships and employer-sponsored apprenticeships that are not delivered through higher education, how enrollment and progress would be measured, and whether employers would be recruited to host more apprentices. Baucher and Sick said registered apprenticeships include traditional trades and are expanding into health care, manufacturing, education and public service; progress measurement could use a crosswalk to hours completed and related instruction rather than a college-style GPA.

Sick also told senators the bill includes an appropriation request of $1,100,000 to fund the standalone grant program. He said stakeholders discussed placing an Office of Apprenticeship in state government to help employers stand up programs and noted a companion bill in the other chamber (10-36) would create such an office.

Several senators voiced general support for expanding apprenticeships and warned the state should avoid creating excessive new bureaucracy while ensuring employer outreach and program navigation. Baucher said the Workforce Development Council and other stakeholders backed the bill in committee.

The committee did not take a final vote on SB 2239 in the hearing recorded in the transcript.","Sen. Josh Baucher told the Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division that SB 2239 would set up a grant program to help apprentices with upfront costs, up to $3,000 within the first three years of a registered apprenticeship; sponsors and agency witnesses said the grant addresses gaps left by a scholarship program that requires a 2.75 GPA.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6326822,"Senators give due pass to bill expanding dental services under Medicaid expansion for FQHCs",559,8190000,8749000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323642-323ffe54e2f2d0d6f92c48481ed17dac&start=8190&end=8749","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323642-323ffe54e2f2d0d6f92c48481ed17dac/thumbnail_8190000.jpg","/articles/6326822/North-Dakota/Senators-give-due-pass-to-bill-expanding-dental-services-under-Medicaid-expansion-for-FQHCs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326822-48f5a5de91d984e9078cdfc99bbaac46/orig.mp4?Expires=1770954904&Signature=Jy7c0mPjZjaNWGJZKlNJ1VST4hfOgdtPPVJzW4PHVsc~vbt38ww1x7P6j0iQ73xWXjXcLR~IAbt2aopr~o9O5m3nZ2i~MjHXsUZ3f7~Ne6oC6eSFrNaVbK4taWCDokTCFOvjErLYCr75lPzTuANC3NvjWoXPqEyidfD8r9OVxiHdEKhyxOb5WBgRn-BKwFT9GmNf8VJJykrt-g8STjKWZZZzJv8iNdUA5F-BhIcx4XaUiviJ2ZvcwmuiVIqDN4NqpZB4sAp8iTOldypRcO~Cr~wggf0g2fWUkbKk-2iFPWick3I8ocEJovQahhZuxryOOfcQ14wPLitLlmGHGe9fIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Cleary, sponsor of Senate Bill 2231, told the committee the bill would expand dental coverage under Medicaid expansion for care delivered through federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and other providers that choose to accept expanded Medicaid patients.

\"I think it's a good bill,\" Cleary said during committee discussion. He and several witnesses argued the change would increase access for patients who currently lack routine dental care and that FQHCs can help fill service gaps for underserved communities.

Testimony showed mixed views from dentists and provider groups about whether private dental practices would participate. Some senators said the state should monitor reimbursement rates and workforce availability; Senator Baker warned that adding federal/state-funded patients without growing provider capacity can shift costs and increase fees for self-pay patients.

The fiscal note ties the program to Medicaid expansion funding (90/10 federal/state match for the expansion population) and estimated utilization-driven costs rising in the later biennium; witnesses said carving the benefit out of managed-care contracts would make the department manage those services directly. Committee members recommended a due pass and the motion carried; the bill was to be carried to the full committee and then back to the Human Services committee for additional review on provider participation and implementation details.

The committee recorded a unanimous due-pass recommendation in the transcript.","Senate Bill 2231 would expand Medicaid expansion dental coverage, allowing federally qualified health centers and other providers to claim reimbursement for dental services under the expansion program; the committee voted to advance the bill to the full appropriations committee after witnesses described access gaps and FQHC interest.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6326827,"Panel hears continuation of $25 cap on insulin and diabetic supplies for PERS health plan",610,6742000,7352000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323642-323ffe54e2f2d0d6f92c48481ed17dac&start=6742&end=7352","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323642-323ffe54e2f2d0d6f92c48481ed17dac/thumbnail_6742000.jpg","/articles/6326827/North-Dakota/Panel-hears-continuation-of-25-cap-on-insulin-and-diabetic-supplies-for-PERS-health-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326827-26693373bb4bbe92081115aea9a61295/orig.mp4?Expires=1770954904&Signature=LmnQMCzwrKo1tSwIX9HGqHhNd-x97ckKvGwOQVHiQKpkAT5v3SBmRmmDKE5v2wEJczxNpjatQ6owzV7HqUc1bwDMeywOzoKPFIsAeQIigOCU4fJp4zM1iHkYBfeEt1D0NJdw3qakxrc5U8cwFwuLUU2B2yzIql7Ll9J4oShamUv0hcAdq83Jro0VynHxJ6cqkv3CJyNg3XI~SCjNmoq7ezN3paZ~yRI7eH2GcMC6A93GR69TbD4nq99kHrSx51i0-4S2sJvkGfCS1d36i-ZIgHAKe3lDlGTOLC95eU24AtpO5n7eZ-g~U8rvxxhTGkidkk3QIjwu~peMdqY90WfyQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Cleary, prime sponsor of Senate Bill 2370 as amended, said the bill would continue a $25 monthly cap on the member cost-share for insulin and diabetic supplies for PERS health-plan members, continuing a pilot program that ran in the current biennium.

\"Senate bill 23 70 is a it sets a $25 per month cap on the amount a member of NDEPRS could be charged for insulin or diabetic supplies,\" Cleary told the committee. He said the pilot showed limited premium impact (0.14% during the pilot) and meaningful savings for users of the cap; PERS reported that individuals who used the cap saved on average about $80 per month on diabetes-related out-of-pocket costs.

Rebecca Fricke, testifying for the Public Employees Retirement System, said the cap would not apply to Medicare Part D retirees (the federal Inflation Reduction Act already creates a $35 cap for Medicare Part D), and that continuing the benefit for PERS members would be a policy decision for the Legislature. Deloitte, PERS's actuary, priced the ongoing cost at 0.12% of premiums for the coming biennium, equating to roughly $2.07 per contract per month and about $834,000 for the state-funded portion plus roughly $160,000 for political subdivisions; PERS estimated roughly 18,000 affected subscriber contracts covering about 50,000 lives and said approximately 831 individuals used the cap during the pilot year (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024).

Senators asked why the commercial insurance market had not adopted the cap statewide; witnesses said manufacturers lowered list prices during the pilot period and that the PERS board had been reluctant to make a marketwide recommendation but had recommended continuation for the PERS plan. Fricke said the PERS board historically defers benefit enhancements with costs to the Legislature because of reserve and policy considerations.

No final committee vote on SB 2370 was recorded in the transcript; senators agreed to set the bill aside pending further action in the other chamber.","Senate Bill 2370 (as amended) would continue a $25 per-month cap on insulin and diabetic supplies for members of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) health plan; PERS actuaries estimated a 0.12% premium increase (~$2.07 per contract per month) for the affected PERS population (about 18,000 contracts / ~50,000 covered lives).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Panel advances bill allowing infants to reside with incarcerated mothers in new Heart River facility

Lawmakers hear request for $3 million line of credit to finish Fargo Veterans Memorial Center

Senate bill would create apprenticeship grant of up to $3,000 to cover startup costs

Senators give due pass to bill expanding dental services under Medicaid expansion for FQHCs

Panel hears continuation of $25 cap on insulin and diabetic supplies for PERS health plan