ND HB1091

Requires the Department of Human Services to use automated clearinghouse electronic fund transfers for all payments to family foster homes, supervised independent living programs, and qualified residential treatment programs for children.

Expands the definition of "foster care for children" to explicitly include supervised independent living programs and qualified residential treatment programs in addition to licensed or approved family foster homes.

Adds licensing requirements prohibiting applicants from receiving a license if they had a previous license denied within two years or revoked within five years, unless waived by the department after considering child health and safety.

Permits use of nonfederal funds to reimburse shelter care placement costs for up to seven days when shelter care services are certified by the department, with possible extensions for health, safety, or unforeseeable circumstances.

Staggers implementation of the automated clearinghouse payment requirement, applying to new providers beginning January 1, 2022, and to existing providers beginning January 1, 2023.