19.0308.02000
Sixty-sixth
Legislative Assembly SENATE BILL NO. 2291
of North Dakota
Introduced by
Senators J. Lee, Hogan, K. Roers
Representatives Dockter, Mock
1 A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 50-06 of the North Dakota
2 Century Code, relating to creation of a trauma-informed practices working group; to provide for
3 a report to the legislative management; to provide an appropriation; and to provide an expiration
4 date.
5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
6 SECTION 1. A new section to chapter 50-06 of the North Dakota Century Code is created
7 and enacted as follows:
8 Trauma-informed practices working group - Membership - Duties - Network - Reports
9 to legislative management.
10 1. The behavioral health division shall establish and provide administrative services for a
11 trauma-informed practices working group. The working group shall:
12 a. Assess and guide efforts to provide evidence-based trauma treatment models
13 and services within the state's system of care. The assessment must include
14 identification of gaps in the state's system.
15 b. Establish, implement, and maintain a statewide plan for trauma-informed care
16 which may include establishing a system for:
17 (1) Trauma screening of adults and children who enter the state's system of
18 care;
19 (2) Trauma-sensitive strategies for providing care plans for individuals with a
20 positive response to the screening; and
21 (3) Referral resources to inform individuals with trauma histories about trauma-
22 informed services and supports.
23 c. Establish and provide public and private workforce and professional education
24 training and support material regarding trauma-informed practices.
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1 d. Make recommendations to improve and support trauma-informed practices.
2 e. Engage public and private stakeholders in performing the duties of the working
3 group.
4 f. Provide annual reports to the legislative management regarding the status of the
5 working group's activities and any recommendations.
6 2. The working group membership must include representatives of:
7 a. The department of corrections and rehabilitation;
8 b. The state department of health;
9 c. The state board of higher education;
10 d. The department of human services;
11 e. The Indian affairs commission;
12 f. The insurance department;
13 g. The judicial branch;
14 h. The committee on protection and advocacy;
15 i. The department of public instruction; and
16 j. Other public and private stakeholders identified by the behavioral health division.
17 3. The director of the behavioral health division, or the director's designee, shall serve as
18 the presiding officer of the working group. The working group shall meet at least
19 biannually. Additional meetings may be held at the discretion of the presiding officer.
20 4. The department shall maintain a network of clinicians to implement, evaluate, and
21 sustain the practice of evidence-based mental health treatment for children who have
22 experienced traumatic life events. The network shall maintain an online directory and
23 facilitate an ongoing learning community for clinicians trained in trauma-focused
24 cognitive behavioral therapy. The network shall also offer trauma-based trainings for
25 other child serving systems.
26 SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION. There is appropriated out of any moneys in the general
27 fund in the state treasury, not otherwise appropriated, the sum of $200,000, or so much of the
28 sum as may be necessary, to the department of human services for the purpose of
29 implementing the trauma-informed practices working group, for the biennium beginning July 1,
30 2019, and ending June 30, 2021.
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1 SECTION 3. EXPIRATION DATE. Section 1 of this Act is effective through July 31, 2023,
2 and after that date is ineffective.
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