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SB 2296

AN ACT to amend and reenact section 57-40.6-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to emergency services communications systems.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Mark Enget and 4 co-sponsors

Updates North Dakota law to include public safety telecommunicators as first responders, expands 911/emergency communications terms, and lets DHHS regulate EMS communications.

Filed with Secretary Of State 04/08
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Bill Summary · SB 2296

Summary — SB 2296 (North Dakota)

Status: Filed with Secretary of State 04/08/2025 (signed by Governor 04/07/2025)
Introduced: March 11, 2025 — Sponsors: Senators Walen, Luick, Enget; Representatives Fegley, Vigesaa
Related bill: HB 2618 (companion)

Purpose / Intent

SB 2296 updates and clarifies statutory definitions and the regulatory authority for emergency services communications and first responders. It (1) amends definitions used for emergency medical services (EMS) and first responders, and (2) revises the chapter governing emergency services communications systems (the 9‑1‑1 / radio system statutes) to align terminology with modern systems (including next‑generation 9‑1‑1) and to explicitly include public safety telecommunicators.

Key provisions

  • Amends North Dakota Century Code section 23‑27‑02 (definitions) to:
    • Clarify definitions related to emergency medical services, EMS operations, EMS personnel, and EMS professionals.
    • Define "first responder" to include firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical services personnel, and public safety telecommunicators (cross‑referencing section 57‑40.6‑01).
  • Amends section 23‑27‑04.8 to:
    • Authorize the Department of Health and Human Services to regulate communications methods and protocols for EMS operations and first responders in a manner consistent with protocols established by the Department of Emergency Services.
  • Amends section 57‑40.6‑01 (definitions for the emergency services communications chapter) to:
    • Provide or update numerous definitions used in the 9‑1‑1 and emergency communications law, including: “911 system,” “911 system service provider,” “assessed communications service,” “emergency services communication system” (explicitly including 911 and radio systems), “public safety telecommunicator,” “subscriber service address,” “prepaid wireless emergency 911 fee,” and definitions related to wireless/VoIP services and providers.
    • Explicitly include public safety telecommunicators in the “first responder” definition and cross‑reference EMS personnel.

Who is affected

  • State agencies: Department of Health and Human Services; Department of Emergency Services.
  • Public safety entities: EMS operations (ambulance services, air ambulance, quick response units), firefighters, law enforcement agencies, public safety telecommunicators, PSAPs (public safety answering points), county emergency communications systems.
  • Communications industry: 911 system service providers, wireless and VoIP providers, prepaid wireless sellers (due to defined prepaid fee).
  • Local governments/counties that operate or coordinate emergency communications systems.

Procedural highlights / timeline

  • Introduced and filed March 11, 2025.
  • Committee referrals and hearings occurred in March 2025.
  • Passed Senate 45–0 and House 84–6 (first engrossed/enrolled).
  • Signed by legislative leaders, sent to the Governor, signed April 7, 2025, and filed with Secretary of State April 8, 2025 — enacted into law.

Note: The legislative packet included an unrelated Illinois bill text labeled SB2296; the summary above reflects the North Dakota bill as introduced and enacted in the Sixty‑ninth Legislative Assembly.

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

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