North Dakota legislators revise funding structure for suicide prevention and guardianship programs

The North Dakota House Appropriations Committee convened on April 7, 2025, to discuss critical funding issues, particularly focusing on the 988 suicide prevention program and the establishment of an Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship.

A significant topic was the funding for the 988 program, which is designed to provide suicide prevention services. The committee reviewed a proposal to implement a fee of 5 cents on phone lines, aimed at generating approximately $750,000 biennially to support the program. This fee is a reduction from an earlier proposal of 30 cents, which would have raised about $4.5 million. The committee emphasized that the funds would specifically support the call center operations, not the broader services associated with the program. Concerns were raised about ensuring that local subdivisions could not impose additional fees for services funded by this fee.

In addition to the 988 program, the committee discussed the establishment of the Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship. This initiative aims to streamline oversight of guardianship services in North Dakota, which have been criticized for lacking proper regulation. The proposed office would consolidate various funding sources and oversight responsibilities, addressing concerns about ethical violations among guardians. The committee noted that while the bill does not introduce new funding, it reallocates existing resources to support the new office's operations.

The discussions highlighted the need for ongoing funding solutions for both the 988 program and the guardianship system, with committee members expressing a desire for a more sustainable approach that would not require annual budget discussions. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further evaluate the proposed funding structures and ensure that both programs receive the necessary support to address the growing needs in the state.