Bill > SB2209

This bill expands medical examination coverage for victims of criminal conduct by amending North Dakota law to include domestic violence and additional types of child abuse in forensic medical examinations. The bill increases the time window for performing acute forensic medical examinations from 96 to 120 hours after an alleged crime and broadens the scope of examinations to include not just sexual conduct, but also domestic violence, physical abuse, and neglect for children. The legislation ensures that victims are not charged for these medical examinations, with the attorney general responsible for reimbursing healthcare facilities and professionals for the reasonable costs of these exams. Additionally, the bill appropriates $200,000 from the state's general fund to support domestic violence forensic medical examination programs for the 2025-2027 biennium. Recipients of these funds will be required to report on their use of the money and program outcomes, and the attorney general must provide a report to legislative appropriations committees detailing the number of victims receiving examinations and documenting collaborative efforts among healthcare providers, law enforcement, and state's attorneys to assist victims.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/bill-overview/bo2209.html