The bill amends section 50-24.4-29 of the North Dakota Century Code, which pertains to geropsychiatric facilities. It allows the department to select multiple skilled nursing homes to operate units that provide geropsychiatric services. The criteria for admission to these facilities have been updated; now, an individual must be determined to meet the criteria for skilled nursing and need psychiatric behavioral health services by a qualified practitioner. Additionally, admissions from the state hospital will be prioritized.

The bill also addresses the capacity of geropsychiatric units in the state. If the department finds that the number of approved units is insufficient to meet demand, it can select additional units based on the qualifications and capacity of the skilled nursing homes that wish to provide these services. Notably, the previous restriction that the state hospital could not offer geropsychiatric services through a dedicated unit has been removed.

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