The bill amends section 50-24.4-29 of the North Dakota Century Code, focusing on the operation of geropsychiatric facilities within skilled nursing homes. It removes the requirement for the state hospital to perform evaluations for admission, instead allowing an individual practicing within their scope to determine if the individual meets the criteria for skilled nursing and psychiatric behavioral health services. Additionally, it prioritizes admissions from the state hospital to these units and expands the potential for more skilled nursing facilities to provide geropsychiatric services if the current number of units is deemed insufficient.

Furthermore, the bill eliminates the previous stipulation that only one or a specific number of facilities could operate geropsychiatric units, allowing for the selection of additional units based on their qualifications and capacity. The language also clarifies that the state hospital cannot offer geropsychiatric services through a unit set up exclusively for that purpose, thereby streamlining the process for providing necessary psychiatric care to individuals in skilled nursing homes.

Statutes affected:
PREFILED: 50-24.4-29
Adopted by the Senate Human Services Committee: 50-24.4-29
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 50-24.4-29
Enrollment: 50-24.4-29
INTRODUCED: 50-24.4-29