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SB 2176

AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 54-07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the children's cabinet and designated working groups; to repeal section 50-06-43.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the children's cabinet; and to provide for a legislative management report.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Michelle Axtman and 2 co-sponsors

Creates a state Children’s Cabinet to coordinate and oversee cross‑agency and tribal child/family services, with annual reporting and designated working groups.

Filed with Secretary Of State 04/08
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Bill Summary · SB 2176

Summary — SB 2176 (North Dakota) — Children's Cabinet; designated working groups

Status: Enacted (signed by Governor 04/08/2025; filed with Secretary of State 04/08/2025)
Introduced: March 10, 2025
Appropriation: $220,000 from the general fund for FY2026–FY2027 (biennium beginning July 1, 2025 — ending June 30, 2027)

Purpose and intent

SB 2176 establishes a statutory Children's Cabinet to assess, guide, and coordinate care and services for children and families across state government and tribal nations. The bill centralizes cross‑agency leadership, creates and authorizes designated working groups, and requires annual reporting of activities and findings to the governor and legislative management.

Key provisions

  • Creates a new section in NDCC chapter 54‑07 establishing the Children's Cabinet.
  • Repeals existing statute: NDCC §50‑06‑43.1 (the prior children's cabinet provision).
  • Membership (statutorily specified):
    • Governor (or designee) and the chief justice (or designee).
    • Two members of the House and two members of the Senate (appointed by respective majority leaders, two‑year terms).
    • Superintendent of Public Instruction (or designee).
    • Director of the Committee on Protection and Advocacy (or designee).
    • Commissioner of Health and Human Services (or designee).
    • A tribal nations representative (appointed by the governor).
    • Five governor appointees (two‑year terms, at governor’s pleasure) to include: a local school representative, a local special education representative, a human service zone director, a private agency representative serving vulnerable children, and a parent.
  • Leadership and operations:
    • Presiding officer appointed by the governor in collaboration with the chairman of legislative management (must be a cabinet member or legislator on the cabinet); the cabinet elects a vice‑presiding officer.
    • Cabinet must meet at least quarterly.
    • Office of the Governor provides staffing and administrative support.
  • Duties:
    • Coordinate leadership across agencies and tribal nations.
    • Develop strategies addressing gaps in early care/education, medical and behavioral health, child welfare, juvenile justice, and the full continuum of care (promotion through recovery).
    • Promote cooperation among public and private providers and active participation of consumers/providers on advisory committees.
    • Receive information and recommendations from DHHS, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and other agencies.
    • Establish and oversee designated working groups to develop policies impacting children and families.
    • Produce an annual report to the governor and legislative management summarizing activities and working‑group findings.
  • Compensation and reimbursements:
    • Non‑state members: mileage and expenses paid by the governor’s office.
    • State employees: regular salary retained; mileage/expenses paid by their employing agency.
    • Legislators: per diem and travel reimbursement paid by the Legislative Council under existing law.

Who is affected

  • State agencies involved in child and family services (DHHS, Corrections and Rehabilitation, education, etc.).
  • Tribal nations (statutory inclusion and coordination).
  • Local education entities, human service zones, private child‑serving agencies, parents and other community stakeholders.
  • Legislators serving on the cabinet and staff in the Governor’s Office (administration and coordination duties).
  • State budget: one‑time/ongoing administrative funding reflected in the $220,000 biennial appropriation.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • The bill moved through committees and both chambers with recorded votes (Senate 47–0; House 75–9) and was sent to and signed by the Governor on April 8, 2025.
  • The appropriation covers administration/coordination for the 2025–2027 biennium; the cabinet is required to provide annual reports to legislative management and the governor going forward.

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

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