ND HB1089

Changes the limit on geropsychiatric units in North Dakota nursing homes from a fixed maximum of two to allowing the Department of Human Services to select one or more units based on state needs.

Requires state hospital evaluation before admission to a geropsychiatric unit to determine if an individual needs nursing home geropsychiatric services.

Allows the department to select additional geropsychiatric units when the number of approved units is insufficient to meet needs, based on nursing homes' experience, qualifications, and capacity.

Prohibits the state hospital from offering geropsychiatric services through any other unit set up exclusively to provide those services once geropsychiatric units are established in nursing homes.

Passed unanimously in both chambers: House vote 94-0, Senate vote 47-0.