North Dakota House Bill HB1220

North Dakota 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/23
• Refer: 1/9/23

Caption

The hours of operation of the office of statistical services; and to declare an emergency.

Impact

The implementation of HB1220 is expected to enhance the operations of the Office of Statistical Services by facilitating easier and more consistent access to vital records for the residents of North Dakota. This change could lead to more effective dissemination of health data and vital information to the public, promoting transparency and public trust in health statistics managed by the state. Additionally, having official hours may help in managing workloads and improving service delivery efficiency within the office.

Summary

House Bill 1220 aims to amend the North Dakota Century Code concerning the hours of operation for the Office of Statistical Services. Specifically, it seeks to ensure that the office maintains regular public hours, establishing that it should be open at least four days a week for the public to request and receive vital records in person. By doing so, the bill intends to improve public access to essential health statistics and vital records registration across the state.

Conclusion

Overall, HB1220 encapsulates a critical step towards fostering better public health data management and accessibility. The commitment to operational transparency through clearly defined hours reflects a growing recognition of the importance of public health records in fostering informed communities. The emphasis on an emergency declaration highlights the critical nature of these amendments in meeting the immediate needs of the public.

Contention

While there may not be significant contention tied directly to HB1220 from the information available, the emergency status declared within the bill indicates urgency, likely arising from existing challenges in public access to vital records. This could suggest a potential historical inadequacy concerning access or operational hours that lawmakers aimed to rectify rapidly. The bill represents a proactive measure to ensure that necessary public services are not only available but consistently accessible to all.