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SB 2096

A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the department of health and human services for regional acute psychiatric treatment and residential supportive housing services.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Tim Mathern and 1 co-sponsor

ND SB 2096 would fund regional acute psychiatric beds and residential housing via DHHS grants, boosting local capacity and reducing state hospital referrals.

Second reading, failed to pass, yeas 14 nays 78
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Bill Summary · SB 2096

Summary — SB 2096 (North Dakota)

A bill to appropriate state funds to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to expand regional acute psychiatric treatment capacity and residential supportive housing.

Purpose and intent

SB 2096 would fund facility and operations grants (and, in earlier drafts, state hospital renovations) to increase inpatient behavioral health capacity across the state, reduce referrals to the state hospital, and expand residential supportive housing for people who need acute psychiatric care or supportive residential services.

Key provisions and changes (by draft/version)

  • Biennium covered: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027.
  • Appropriation amounts varied across versions:
    • Introduced version (25.0114.04000): $100,000,000 for regional acute psychiatric treatment and residential supportive housing, plus a separate $5,000,000 appropriation for state hospital building renovations targeted to individuals under DOC custody, involuntarily committed patients, or those ordered for forensic exams.
    • First engrossment (25.0114.05000): $64,000,000 for facility and operations grants (no explicit $5M renovation line in that version).
    • Second/Final engrossment (25.0114.06000 / reengrossed): reduced to $16,000,000 for facility and operations grants.
  • Regional structure (in some drafts): DHHS would establish four acute psychiatric treatment service regions. The department could use funds to either:
    • Construct up to a 24‑bed acute psychiatric treatment facility in each region, or
    • Contract with private entities to provide acute psychiatric treatment and residential supportive housing in each region.
  • Grant eligibility and conditions:
    • Recipients must increase the number of inpatient behavioral health beds as defined by DHHS.
    • Beds must serve acute psychiatric treatment or residential supportive housing needs.
    • Grant recipients must operate the behavioral health facility for at least 10 years under contract.
    • Facility siting must prioritize options that eliminate or reduce referrals to the state hospital.
    • DHHS must distribute grants to ensure approximately equal acute psychiatric and residential supportive housing services across each quadrant of the state.

Who would be affected

  • Department of Health and Human Services (administrator of grants/region design).
  • Behavioral health providers (public and private) eligible for grants or contracts.
  • State hospital (potentially fewer referrals).
  • Individuals needing acute psychiatric inpatient care or residential supportive housing (potential for increased local capacity).
  • State budget/general fund (one-time appropriation(s) from the general fund).

Procedural/timeline status and outcome

  • Introduced: March 7, 2025 (ND drafting shows sponsors Sen. Mathern and Rep. M. Ruby).
  • Legislative actions include committee referrals and amendments across February–March 2025.
  • Final recorded action: Second reading — failed to pass (yeas 14, nays 78) on March 28, 2025.
  • Companion bill noted: HB 305.
  • Note: The provided document package also included text from an unrelated Illinois SB 2096 (a different subject and sponsor), which should not be conflated with this North Dakota measure.

Potential impact and considerations

  • If enacted at higher appropriation levels ($64M–$100M), this bill could materially expand regional inpatient and supportive housing capacity and relieve pressure on the state hospital.
  • The final $16M version would be more limited in scale; the ten‑year operating requirement and regional equalization mandate shape how funds could be allocated.
  • Fiscal impact depends on final appropriation level and whether funds are used for capital construction versus contracts/grants.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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