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SB 2042

AN ACT to create and enact a new subsection to section 43-58-03.1 and section 43-60-06.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to obtaining criminal history record checks for naturopathic doctors and genetic counselors; and to amend and reenact subdivision d of subsection 2 of section 12-60-24 of the North Dakota Century Code, providing authority to complete the background checks with the bureau of criminal investigation to complete the criminal history record checks.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26)

ND Board of Medicine can require statewide and nationwide criminal history checks for naturopathic doctors and genetic counselors during licensure and disciplinary investigations.

Filed with Secretary Of State 03/18
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Bill Summary · SB 2042

Summary — North Dakota SB 2042 (2025)

An act concerning criminal history record checks for certain licensees regulated by the North Dakota Board of Medicine.

Purpose / Intent

SB 2042 authorizes the North Dakota Board of Medicine to require statewide and nationwide criminal history record checks for (1) applicants for licensure and (2) licensees who are the subject of disciplinary investigations. The targeted professions added in the bill are naturopathic doctors and genetic counselors. The measure also clarifies that criminal history checks shall be completed in the manner provided by existing state law (section 12-60-24), including coordination with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), and places the cost of those checks on the applicant or licensee.

Note: The materials provided included unrelated text from an Illinois bill. This summary focuses only on the North Dakota SB 2042 content.

Key provisions

  • Amends subdivision d of NDCC 12-60-24 to explicitly authorize the North Dakota Board of Medicine to obtain criminal history record checks in connection with licensing or disciplinary investigations under NDCC sections 43-17-07.1, 43-58-03.1, and 43-60-06.1 (as applicable).
  • Creates a new subsection to NDCC 43-58-03.1 (naturopathic doctors) authorizing the board to require statewide and nationwide criminal history record checks for:
    • licensure applicants, and
    • licensees who are subjects of disciplinary investigations.
  • Enacts NDCC 43-60-06.1 (genetic counselors) with parallel language authorizing statewide and nationwide criminal history record checks for applicants and licensees under disciplinary investigation.
  • Requires that nationwide criminal history checks be conducted in the manner specified by NDCC 12-60-24 (i.e., coordinated with state BCI and following statutory procedures).
  • All costs associated with the criminal history record checks are to be paid by the applicant or licensee.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Applicants for licensure as naturopathic doctors and genetic counselors in North Dakota, and current licensees in those professions who become subjects of disciplinary investigations.
  • Secondary: North Dakota Board of Medicine (administration of background-check requirements) and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (processing of fingerprint-based nationwide checks).
  • Tertiary: Employers or facilities hiring these professionals may see changes in licensure timelines or documentation requirements.

Procedural / timeline aspects

  • Introduced in the Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly (bill text indicates introduction during the 2025 session).
  • Legislative votes recorded in the enrollment text: Senate vote 47–0; House vote 92–0 (unanimous passage in both chambers as recorded).
  • The bill text shows it was filed with the Secretary of State on 03/18/2025 (per the provided documents).
  • Implementation: Background checks are to be performed pursuant to existing NDCC 12-60-24 procedures once the board requires them; fees for the checks are assessed to the individual applicant/licensee when required.

Practical impacts and considerations

  • Enhances vetting of naturopathic doctors and genetic counselors by enabling federal fingerprint-based checks in addition to state records.
  • May increase time and out-of-pocket expense for applicants and for licensees responding to disciplinary inquiries.
  • Could improve public safety and regulatory oversight by identifying relevant criminal history during licensure or investigations.
  • Administrative workload for the Board of Medicine and BCI may increase modestly depending on frequency of checks.

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

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