Bill > HB1268

This bill introduces mandatory drug testing requirements for parents in North Dakota whose children have been placed out of home due to substance abuse issues. Specifically, if a child is removed from parental care because of controlled substance abuse or drug paraphernalia, the human service zone will require the parent to pass a drug test before being allowed an unsupervised visit with their child. The Department of Health and Human Services is authorized to require additional drug testing as needed for safety planning, though notably, this requirement does not apply to marijuana. To support these new testing requirements, the bill includes an appropriation of $95,000 from the state's general fund to the Department of Health and Human Services for drug testing by human service zones during the 2025-2027 biennium. The goal appears to be ensuring child safety by verifying parental sobriety before allowing unsupervised visitation in cases where substance abuse has been a factor in child removal.

Government Affairs

https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/bill-overview/bo1268.html