[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_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",6287665,"mediaKeyId","2547004-3c07038ae600c37fcc28060874000244","parentId",2547004,"title","Bill would require zones to notify military family‑advocacy programs of child‑abuse assessments (HB1338)","audioSeconds",73,"startMs",5475000,"endMs",5402000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2547004-3c07038ae600c37fcc28060874000244&start=5475&end=5402","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2547004-3c07038ae600c37fcc28060874000244/thumbnail_5475000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6287665/North-Dakota/Bill-would-require-zones-to-notify-military-familyadvocacy-programs-of-childabuse-assessments-HB1338","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287665-4d19d702d599c28a721d8e3c27db4e18/orig.mp4?Expires=1770728022&Signature=N8unMf0OLdnEGmhli-C2ep6sAm~nethqw8a4Yj8pZ4GcZ-j-WUo-BveM1dZ6IqHwNguNRdTc4rfYxsQLz4eusHyfSC6~SoxN~gEpwUtWYq2VS26qgYT4UmrJiVtOSEqeXCSU66i5iYD4cElw3OVaav0gBBamxLAWPqJFNSALxR8b1Kv07yOxcrY64psuKAEXhn-28ZViUxEHx2fAg9jUZYQkOtLYxemtvc4jR6T603u3AC82BCLKAb9TWS1Vxf~jCWNKH7U2Jh2lQPnxWosDJ~eo6vBLICYVStTb981K-zW~YUfu6UOFls9CzBpUiTeBPAq5d7VapEpRmeAgSpnLTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-03-11T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Matt Ruby introduced House Bill 1338, which would require human‑service zones that conduct child abuse and neglect assessments to determine whether an individual involved in an assessment is military‑affiliated and, if so, notify the nearest military Family Advocacy Program (FAP).

\"If that individual is military, the zone would notify the nearest military facilities Family Advocacy Program,\" Ruby told the committee, noting family advocacy programs on the state’s two Air Force bases provide clinical and nonclinical services and collect data used to tailor training and justify funding.

Jay Sheldon, strategy and policy officer for the North Dakota National Guard and administrator of the North Dakota Military Commission, said the commission supports consistent statewide procedures because memoranda of understanding already exist in Minot and Grand Forks but not uniformly across the state. He described the policy as a victim‑advocacy measure to ensure military families receive timely services and for DOD data collection purposes.

Kim Jacobson, director of the Agassiz Valley Human Service Zone and president of the North Dakota Human Service Zone Directors Association, told the committee zones support a statewide policy and worked with the sponsor to add definitions clarifying \"military affiliated\" and related terms so local staff can apply the requirement consistently. Jacobson said determining military affiliation could be added to initial intake and that the requirement should not pose an excessive administrative burden.

Michelle Richard, Midwest region liaison for the Department of Defense Defense State Liaison Office, testified in support and noted more than 35 states have passed similar laws requiring information sharing with military family advocacy programs. The Defense witness described the bill as not a law‑enforcement measure but a victim‑advocacy tool to connect families with services quickly.

Ending: Committee heard predominantly supportive testimony and no formal opposition; sponsors were asked to continue coordinating with zones and military liaisons on definitions and operational procedures.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Human Services Tuesday, Mar 11, 2025 9:00 AM - 12:03 PM","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 1338 would require human‑service zones to determine whether individuals involved in child abuse or neglect assessments are military‑affiliated and, where appropriate, notify the nearest military Family Advocacy Program.","taxTitle","Human Services, Senate, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28905,"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},6287679,"Senate Human Services committee hears testimony on safe-haven baby box pilot (HB1205)",361,1505000,1866000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2547004-3c07038ae600c37fcc28060874000244&start=1505&end=1866","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2547004-3c07038ae600c37fcc28060874000244/thumbnail_1505000.jpg","/articles/6287679/North-Dakota/Senate-Human-Services-committee-hears-testimony-on-safe-haven-baby-box-pilot-HB1205","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287679-1681697cb56c8af993e1d0d82c6d1476/orig.mp4?Expires=1770728022&Signature=ipYAiOKyayRvHmi043lFzXbCSN5EKOsTuOITOUmTe791wWbg5~WtTejrjNZ-s8Q~Hs170AvuW6~gumc21yP18o9PZJ-EWh0dSqILqNHEmLmZVmZQxxGmxjX7Y6HbOOOtgY-1cDY66kJeIuStuIfClZ3UTZ95bsAAvX~zzuw9YEf2cUxJ~Y73woxnHZzRthmMMAevdYwhKyN2Xe6or-DvTM3UNNqvOsbd8bs~TuQkZk8bNVpKnNR7hbBUSNFghjc54~8XyLBJmLn6Ua7HmH6VkkqcgyHRWafOCo0M0JtEJLp4H0Fj-roOdTBBz2EWlLTH67xAMAyXtytyYnffZwunEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Dawson Holly urged the Senate Human Services Committee to approve House Bill 1205, which would authorize a pilot program allowing mothers to surrender a newborn under 60 days old by placing the infant in a climate‑controlled, monitored safe‑haven baby box.

\"This legislation is not just about baby boxes. It's about hope,\" Holly said during his opening testimony, describing the boxes as a way to provide an anonymous, immediate, and medically supervised surrender option for parents in crisis.

Supporters including Bridget Turbine of North Dakota Right to Life, Jacob Thompson of North Dakota Family Alliance Legislative Action and Christopher Dodson of the North Dakota Catholic Conference testified the boxes offer a safer alternative to unsafe abandonment. Turbine said states such as Indiana, Kentucky and Arkansas have installed boxes, and that multiple states have recorded instances where boxes preserved infants' lives.

Holly told the committee each safe‑haven baby box costs about $20,000 with an annual program fee of about $500. The bill initially included a $50,000 appropriation, which Holly said would buy two boxes and fund public awareness; he said appropriations were removed during House consideration and the sponsor would like to restore them.

Committee members pressed supporters on operational details and legal safeguards. Senator Hogan and others raised questions about due process and reunification if a parent later changed their mind, and whether a completely anonymous handoff could complicate later claims or parental rights. Holly and witnesses said existing state procedures for safe‑haven surrenders would still apply and that public education and provider training would be part of any rollout.

Committee members also asked about market concentration and vendor dependency; Holly and Turbine said the market presently has a small number of manufacturers and that staff training and device certification were part of vendor materials they provided. Thompson and others described backup alarm systems and redundancy in vendor equipment to address concerns like power failures.

Supporters characterized the proposal as a limited pilot to be evaluated before any wider rollout. The committee did not take a final vote during the hearing; the bill received multiple proponents and no recorded opposition during the public hearing.

Ending: Sponsors asked the committee for a do‑pass recommendation and said they would work with the department and committee staff to provide additional operational language about training, power backups and how the boxes would interface with local law enforcement and hospital staff.
","Representative Dawson Holly asked the Senate Human Services Committee to approve a pilot program authorizing climate‑controlled safe‑haven baby boxes where a parent could anonymously surrender a newborn up to 60 days old.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6287659,"Panel debate as lawmakers weigh amendment to social‑work ethics on treatment of questioning youth (HB1430)",0,5472000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2547004-3c07038ae600c37fcc28060874000244&start=5472&end=5472","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2547004-3c07038ae600c37fcc28060874000244/thumbnail_5472000.jpg","/articles/6287659/North-Dakota/Panel-debate-as-lawmakers-weigh-amendment-to-socialwork-ethics-on-treatment-of-questioning-youth-HB1430","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287659-0c3cfbc269bf159d8574207014a61866/orig.mp4?Expires=1770728022&Signature=nVXo6q0uKx7jgyW8i9rl6ISLyj~ID2C84wzNRGyg7vCqMYbyx6R~6kCdGbeVEnkx8ZlbbZbaJc03Qf4Fyr2m60gMC4N7dcjSY8vPSfp-rqLSX48E9YNl1tp1RrVlBMtJzwww9-7usz9GgC-Z0eqtBkOZw~9AeBuXpLW94F7Xft1WEHA18qeYmS8d5IiVa1LXPHyZVArNNcmK9o0lJaBf5VeVe1wpIXCQxXFJ619vMuyIQyK55cjrE5tBy4044zGcLVtEcMj8OMPWkarvcvDdPK4ymshnvbtMggjjssOCNb1j9RO-7B7TYkRhTKg8gx5EdxjZZ4J0arfqB0GPvSBCQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Laurie Van Winkle introduced House Bill 1430, seeking to reverse an administrative rule that, in her view, restricts licensed social workers to \"affirmation only\" services for individuals questioning sexual orientation or gender identity. Van Winkle said the rule adopted by the Board of Social Work in 2021 prohibits practices that attempt to change sexual orientation or gender identity and that HB1430 would allow counselors to offer a broader spectrum of evidence‑based, client‑directed care when requested.

Allison Trainor, a licensed clinical social worker testifying on behalf of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), opposed the bill and described conversion‑therapy practices as unethical and harmful. Trainor said contemporary clinical guidance and the state board’s administrative rule prohibit practices that seek to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity because those practices are associated with increased suicide risk and poor outcomes.

Other clinicians opposed the bill as drafted, arguing it creates ambiguity and loopholes that could permit harmful practices. Elizabeth Anderson, a licensed clinician who testified in opposition, said the bill’s language could create gray areas that allow unvalidated methods to be used under the guise of \"self‑determination\" or \"spiritual\" counseling, and she recommended relying on existing board rules and professional standards.

Supporters said the proposal merely clarifies that a client who requests counseling consistent with their personal or spiritual beliefs should be able to receive such services and that parental authorizations and disclosures would be required for minors. Opponents argued the bill is unnecessary because the current administrative rule already allows neutral, evidence‑based exploration and that enacting the bill risks undoing protections against practices judged harmful by major medical and mental‑health organizations.

Ending: The committee heard lengthy, at times emotional, testimony on both sides and asked legislative staff, the social‑work board and stakeholders to consider precise statutory language and potential unintended consequences before making a decision.
","The Senate Human Services Committee heard competing testimony on House Bill 1430, which seeks to amend the state social‑work board's administrative guidance related to treatment options for individuals questioning sexual orientation or gender identity. Supporters said the bill would prevent what they view as affirm‑only restrictions and ensure",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6287669,"Emergency services, insurers and 9‑1‑1 leaders debate ambulance reimbursement and paging methods (HB1322)",1205,2600000,3805000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2547004-3c07038ae600c37fcc28060874000244&start=2600&end=3805","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2547004-3c07038ae600c37fcc28060874000244/thumbnail_2600000.jpg","/articles/6287669/North-Dakota/Emergency-services-insurers-and-911-leaders-debate-ambulance-reimbursement-and-paging-methods-HB1322","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287669-c35377e80ed072f1d7138ddbbfdcd62f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770728022&Signature=a0fIpn2vEZQvVo3GUWDcCQsVsX~Kk59EFYIsvEdQBXvZUP1TQVgZOu0TavFv47HU7WkEIQ78r8~BssPLxA66anye-0S0OQZX7HmnVPxGn23Vcd0pjFKoNhVJJn2o8JsDLdf3o~079PDpQdrQSTL068FSYmyRPFQ2acwYT1hEu9okwRJqdjQGYZJjWkzn7INLegIAmwk921BabTeOqAtnwOw2UUQUstITyZYsstrxR4GgIaYqOxsfvxrmSpesPnDgan8uReK~EvRZYEwjzXQLzZCUsByr5a2sv7VYKIGWzEEPJRdTLQJb2EkvHRiEHttBacf2fitrWgRjnDFg1zkaCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Weiss’s bill on ambulance reimbursement (HB1322) drew testimony from emergency‑services, 9‑1‑1 and insurance officials about patient protections, provider solvency and communications reliability.

Bill Kalanick, for the North Dakota EMS Association, said ambulance providers face rising costs (he testified costs to deliver services rose roughly 66% over six years while reimbursement increased about 11%) and that underpayment threatens access, particularly in rural areas. He described three primary objectives: prohibit ambulance providers from collecting above a patient's plan cost‑sharing, ensure payment is sent directly to providers, and set an insurer payment rate to preserve service access.

Kalanick and others discussed proposed rates tied to a Medicare multiplier. The bill originally proposed 400% of Medicare, which Kalanick said would improve funding but still fall short of average total costs; a later amendment set 250% of Medicare. Witnesses supplied example figures: Medicare base rates and per‑mile rates were cited in testimony (one witness cited a Medicare BLS emergent base of about $435.90 and $8.76 per mile), and the speakers noted average cost‑per‑response figures the state and federal data have shown.

9‑1‑1 professionals warned about a House amendment that would allow third‑party paging applications and cell‑phone‑based notifications to serve as primary paging methods. Sarah Miller, president of the North Dakota 9‑1‑1 Association and a public‑safety telecommunications director, said public networks and third‑party services can fail unpredictably and that National Fire Protection Association guidance discourages relying on public cellular networks as a primary paging channel. Miller urged the committee to remove or limit that amendment and involve PSAPs (public safety answering points) in implementing communications rules.

Insurance regulators said they were neutral on the bill but noted drafting issues: sections that assign rulemaking to the insurance commissioner would need to be located in the insurance title of state code for the department to have rule authority. A large public employer health plan (NDPERS) may face a modest fiscal impact from higher ambulance reimbursement rates and legislators were urged to consider whether to appropriate funds.

Ending: The committee heard multiple proponents and neutral technical witnesses and asked sponsors to work with the 9‑1‑1 community and insurance department on language about communications protocols and administrative code placement before further action.
","The Senate Human Services Committee heard proposals to set insurer reimbursement rates and prohibit balance billing for ground ambulance services. Testimony also raised concerns about a House amendment that would allow third‑party paging apps and cell phones as primary notification tools for first responders.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6287674,"Committee hears wide support to repeal North Dakota’s HIV‑specific felony (HB1217)",1441,1147000,2588000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2547004-3c07038ae600c37fcc28060874000244&start=1147&end=2588","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2547004-3c07038ae600c37fcc28060874000244/thumbnail_1147000.jpg","/articles/6287674/North-Dakota/Committee-hears-wide-support-to-repeal-North-Dakotas-HIVspecific-felony-HB1217","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287674-3c827630c7aaffa72cbfd968e6a23b7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770728022&Signature=PR2s1dltghXFDA2Nmd55Rb-RFC1HAyFNjPoSQpD8gcx7obZ-obhDg9rP3y512lSmwoOMr4Vvq~P~yImxzI-04zg7L0KSTkT8w02~bdq2vGnulP~C4cjzbiPJQJ7s6vN9pGTqxQ3YPWqZr5kdSFctc2ic3TKpGAbjRR5x6sYhnqbkw6ZW9oooBKOwmTQYC4q-tfBIW3m6yBzrgZa1FEWM1fh8Xy6ECxM-HSJ7n4WkZpPQV5fu2EZYsEV9xnk-ORKAaZPqF3IAMCCzW2RY8sSBBiHVTvWyzSTrIYe2va4v4MXHbpcMDhZQKpCgjlt7wuVTp1d6rmV64vu1dc6WoF9P0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Gretchen Dobrovich told the Senate Human Services Committee House Bill 1217 would repeal North Dakota Century Code section 12.1‑20‑17, a felony provision that specifically criminalizes knowingly transferring HIV to another person.

\"It is discriminatory that people with one infectious disease are treated differently than people with another infectious disease,\" Dobrovich said, noting that HIV treatment advances and prevention tools such as PrEP and PEP have changed transmission risk and outcomes since the statute was enacted decades ago.

The committee heard repeated support for repeal from the ACLU of North Dakota, the state Department of Health and Human Services, the North Dakota HIV community and civil‑rights groups. Cody Schuler of the ACLU called the law \"outdated science\" that penalizes people for a health condition rather than criminal conduct. Health department staff told the committee the law undercuts public‑health goals by increasing stigma and discouraging testing.

Witnesses cited data and comparisons during testimony: Dobrovich summarized federal statistics showing that in recent years new HIV case rates are lower than some other infectious diseases (she cited 2023 figures presented in testimony). Several speakers noted the state has not prosecuted the HIV‑specific statute in more than 30 years and that established criminal and public‑health statutes cover intentional, malicious conduct.

People living with HIV described the personal costs of stigma and urged repeal as a way to encourage testing and treatment. Jason Grunek, who identified himself as a person living with HIV and founder of a new North Dakota HIV nonprofit, said criminalization discourages people from seeking care and that decriminalization is part of modern public‑health best practices.

Department of Health and Human Services witnesses and the Defense State Liaison Office were among those who described repeal as consistent with advances in treatment and national efforts to modernize statutes. No formal votes were taken at the hearing.

Ending: Supporters asked the committee to recommend a do‑pass on HB1217, saying repeal would align state criminal code with current medical evidence and avoid legal stigma that discourages people from testing and treatment.
","Health officials, civil‑liberties groups and people living with HIV urged repeal of North Dakota Century Code §12.1‑20‑17, arguing the statute is outdated, unused and stigmatizing. Witnesses said modern treatment makes HIV non‑transmissible when virally suppressed and that existing criminal and public‑health laws can address intentional harm.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill would require zones to notify military family‑advocacy programs of child‑abuse assessments (HB1338)

Senate Human Services committee hears testimony on safe-haven baby box pilot (HB1205)

Panel debate as lawmakers weigh amendment to social‑work ethics on treatment of questioning youth (HB1430)

Emergency services, insurers and 9‑1‑1 leaders debate ambulance reimbursement and paging methods (HB1322)

Committee hears wide support to repeal North Dakota’s HIV‑specific felony (HB1217)