North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

North Dakota House Bill HB1556 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly of North Dakota
2		-	In Regular Session Commencing Tuesday, January 7, 2025
3		-	HOUSE BILL NO. 1556
4		-	(Representatives Stemen, Beltz, Hagert, O'Brien, Ostlie, Dockter, Nelson)
5		-	(Senators Lee, Roers, Davison)
6		-	AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 5 of section 27-20.3-01, and sections 27-20.3-15 and
7		-	27-20.3-21 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a child in need of protection and
8		-	termination of parental rights; to create a workgroup under the children's cabinet to study
9		-	out-of-home placement or treatment of children with behavioral health issues; to provide for a
10		-	report; to provide an expiration date; and to declare an emergency.
	1	+	25.1093.02003
	2	+	Title.03000
	3	+	Adopted by the Senate Human Services
	4	+	Committee
	5	+	Sixty-ninth
	6	+	April 7, 2025
	7	+	Legislative Assembly
	8	+	of North Dakota
	9	+	Introduced by
	10	+	Representatives Stemen, Beltz, Hagert, O'Brien, Ostlie, Dockter, Nelson
	11	+	Senators Lee, Roers, Davison
	12	+	A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 5 of section 27-20.3-01, and sections
	13	+	27-20.3-15 and 27-20.3-21 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a child in need of
	14	+	protection and termination of parental rights; to create a work group under the children's cabinet
	15	+	to study out-of-home placement or treatment of children with behavioral health issues; to
	16	+	provide for a report; to provide an expiration date; and to declare an emergency.
11	17		BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
12		-	SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. Subsection 5 of section 27-20.3-01 of the North Dakota ~~Century Code~~
13		-	is amended and reenacted as follows:
	18	+	SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. Subsection 5 of section 27-20.3-01 of the North Dakota
	19	+	Century Code is amended and reenacted as follows:
14	20		5."Child in need of protection" means a child who:
15		-	a.Is without proper parental care or control, subsistence, education as required by law, or
16		-	other care or control necessary for the child's physical, mental, or emotional health, or
17		-	morals, and the need for services or protection is not due primarily to the lack of financial
18		-	means of the child's parents, guardian, or other custodian;
	21	+	a.Is without proper parental care or control, subsistence, education as required by
	22	+	law, or other care or control necessary for the child's physical, mental, or
	23	+	emotional health, or morals, and the need for services or protection is not due
	24	+	primarily to the lack of financial means of the child's parents, guardian, or other
	25	+	custodian;
19	26		b.Has been placed for care or adoption in violation of law;
20	27		c.Has been abandoned by the child's parents, guardian, or other custodian;
21		-	d.Is without proper parental care, control, or education as required by law, or other care
22		-	and control necessary for the child's well-being because of the physical, mental,
23		-	emotional, or other illness or disability of the child's parent or parents, and that such lack
24		-	of care is not due to a willful act of commission or act of omission by the child's parents,
25		-	and care is requested by a parent;
26		-	e.Is in need of treatment and whose parents, guardian, or other custodian have refused to
27		-	participate in treatment as ordered by the juvenile court;
28		-	f.Was subject to prenatal exposure to chronic or severe use of alcohol or any controlled
29		-	substance as defined in chapter 19-03.1 in a manner not lawfully prescribed by a
30		-	practitioner;
31		-	g.Is present in an environment subjecting the child to exposure to a controlled substance,
32		-	chemical substance, or drug paraphernalia as prohibited by section 19-03.1-22.2; or
	28	+	d.Is without proper parental care, control, or education as required by law, or other
	29	+	care and control necessary for the child's well-being because of the physical,
	30	+	mental, emotional, or other illness or disability of the child's parent or parents,
	31	+	Page No. 1 25.1093.02003
	32	+	ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 1556
	33	+	FIRST ENGROSSMENT
	34	+	PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO
	35	+	1
	36	+	2
	37	+	3
	38	+	4
	39	+	5
	40	+	6
	41	+	7
	42	+	8
	43	+	9
	44	+	10
	45	+	11
	46	+	12
	47	+	13
	48	+	14
	49	+	15
	50	+	16
	51	+	17
	52	+	18
	53	+	19 Sixty-ninth
	54	+	Legislative Assembly
	55	+	and that such lack of care is not due to a willful act of commission or act of
	56	+	omission by the child's parents, and care is requested by a parent;
	57	+	e.Is in need of treatment and whose parents, guardian, or other custodian have
	58	+	refused to participate in treatment as ordered by the juvenile court;
	59	+	f.Was subject to prenatal exposure to chronic or severe use of alcohol or any
	60	+	controlled substance as defined in chapter 19-03.1 in a manner not lawfully
	61	+	prescribed by a practitioner;
	62	+	g.Is present in an environment subjecting the child to exposure to a controlled
	63	+	substance, chemical substance, or drug paraphernalia as prohibited by section
	64	+	19-03.1-22.2; or
33	65		h.Is a victim of human trafficking as defined in title 12.1; or
34	66		i.Is in need of care and treatment and:
35		-	(1)Has been diagnosed with a severe mental health condition or behavioral health
36		-	disorder by a licensed child psychologist or psychiatrist;
37		-	(2)Has committed an act of a violent or sexual nature against another family member
38		-	living in the household, which if committed by an adult would be considered a crime
39		-	under the laws of this state, and if the criteria under section 27 - 20.4 - 11 are met, has
40		-	at minimum been considered for informal adjustment; and H. B. NO. 1556 - PAGE 2
41		-	(3)Whose parent is unable to provide proper control of the child and is in fear for the
42		-	safety of a family member living in the same household as the child.
43		-	SECTION 2. AMENDMENT. Section 27-20.3-15 of the North Dakota Century Code is amended and
44		-	reenacted as follows:
	67	+	(1)Has been diagnosed with a severe mental health condition or behavioral
	68	+	health disorder by a licensed child psychologist or psychiatrist;
	69	+	(2)Has committed an act of a violent or sexual nature against another family
	70	+	member living in the household, which if committed by an adult would be
	71	+	considered a crime under the laws of this state , and if the criteria under
	72	+	section 27-20 .4-11 are met, has at minimum been considered for informal
	73	+	adjustment ; and
	74	+	(3)Whose parent is unable to provide proper control of the child and is in fear
	75	+	for the safety of a family member living in the same household as the child .
	76	+	SECTION 2. AMENDMENT. Section 27-20.3-15 of the North Dakota Century Code is
	77	+	amended and reenacted as follows:
45	78		27-20.3-15. Disposition of a child in need of protection.
46		-	1.If a child is found to be a child in need of protection, the court may make any of the following
47		-	orders of disposition best suited to the protection of the child or family and the physical,
48		-	mental, and moral welfare of the child:
49		-	a.Permit the child to reside with the child's parents, guardian, or other custodian, subject to
50		-	conditions and limitations as the court prescribes, including supervision as directed by
51		-	the court for the protection of the child.
52		-	b.Subject to conditions and limitations as the court prescribes, transfer temporary legal
53		-	custody to any of the following:
54		-	(1)An agency or other private organization licensed or otherwise authorized by law to
55		-	receive and provide care for the child.
56		-	(2)The director of the human service zone to receive and provide care for the child.
57		-	c.Require the child or parents, guardian, or other custodian to participate in treatment.
	79	+	1.If a child is found to be a child in need of protection, the court may make any of the
	80	+	following orders of disposition best suited to the protection of the child or family and
	81	+	the physical, mental, and moral welfare of the child:
	82	+	a.Permit the child to reside with the child's parents, guardian, or other custodian,
	83	+	subject to conditions and limitations as the court prescribes, including supervision
	84	+	as directed by the court for the protection of the child.
	85	+	Page No. 2 25.1093.02003
	86	+	1
	87	+	2
	88	+	3
	89	+	4
	90	+	5
	91	+	6
	92	+	7
	93	+	8
	94	+	9
	95	+	10
	96	+	11
	97	+	12
	98	+	13
	99	+	14
	100	+	15
	101	+	16
	102	+	17
	103	+	18
	104	+	19
	105	+	20
	106	+	21
	107	+	22
	108	+	23
	109	+	24
	110	+	25
	111	+	26
	112	+	27
	113	+	28
	114	+	29
	115	+	30 Sixty-ninth
	116	+	Legislative Assembly
	117	+	b.Subject to conditions and limitations as the court prescribes, transfer temporary
	118	+	legal custody to any of the following:
	119	+	(1)An agency or other private organization licensed or otherwise authorized by
	120	+	law to receive and provide care for the child.
	121	+	(2)The director of the human service zone to receive and provide care for the
	122	+	child.
	123	+	c.Require the child or parents, guardian, or other custodian to participate in
	124	+	treatment.
58	125		d.Appoint a fit and willing relative or other appropriate individual as the child's legal
59	126		guardian under section 27-20.1-11.
60		-	e.In cases in which a compelling reason has been shown that it would not be in the child's
61		-	best interests to return home, to have parental rights terminated, to be placed for
62		-	adoption, to be placed with a fit and willing relative, or to be placed with a legal guardian,
63		-	establish, by order, some other planned permanent living arrangement.
64		-	2.Without a compelling reason to the contrary, a court order that transfers the child from the
65		-	current protective placement to a parent or other biological family must provide a reasonable
66		-	period of time to facilitate a beneficial transition for the child and other parties involved.
67		-	3.A child in need of protection may not be placed in a residential facility that houses delinquent
68		-	children.
69		-	SECTION 3. AMENDMENT. Section 27-20.3-21 of the North Dakota Century Code is amended and
70		-	reenacted as follows:
	127	+	e.In cases in which a compelling reason has been shown that it would not be in the
	128	+	child's best interests to return home, to have parental rights terminated, to be
	129	+	placed for adoption, to be placed with a fit and willing relative, or to be placed
	130	+	with a legal guardian, establish, by order, some other planned permanent living
	131	+	arrangement.
	132	+	2.Without a compelling reason to the contrary, a court order that transfers the child from
	133	+	the current protective placement to a parent or other biological family must provide a
	134	+	reasonable period of time to facilitate a beneficial transition for the child and other
	135	+	parties involved.
	136	+	3.A child in need of protection may not be placed in a residential facility that houses
	137	+	delinquent children.
	138	+	SECTION 3. AMENDMENT. Section 27-20.3-21 of the North Dakota Century Code is
	139	+	amended and reenacted as follows:
71	140		27-20.3-21. Petition for termination of parental rights.
72	141		1.As used in this section:
73	142		a."A finding that the child has been subjected to child abuse or neglect" means:
74	143		(1)A finding of a child in need of protection made under this chapter, except as
75	144		provided in subdivision i of subsection 5 of section 27 - 20.3 - 01 ; or
76		-	(2)A conviction of a person, responsible for a child's welfare, for conduct involving the
77		-	child, under chapter 12.1-16 or sections 12.1-17-01 through 12.1-17-04 or
78		-	12.1-20-01 through 12.1-20-08.
	145	+	(2)A conviction of a person, responsible for a child's welfare, for conduct
	146	+	involving the child, under chapter 12.1-16 or sections 12.1-17-01 through
	147	+	12.1-17-04 or 12.1-20-01 through 12.1-20-08.
	148	+	Page No. 3 25.1093.02003
	149	+	1
	150	+	2
	151	+	3
	152	+	4
	153	+	5
	154	+	6
	155	+	7
	156	+	8
	157	+	9
	158	+	10
	159	+	11
	160	+	12
	161	+	13
	162	+	14
	163	+	15
	164	+	16
	165	+	17
	166	+	18
	167	+	19
	168	+	20
	169	+	21
	170	+	22
	171	+	23
	172	+	24
	173	+	25
	174	+	26
	175	+	27
	176	+	28
	177	+	29
	178	+	30
	179	+	31 Sixty-ninth
	180	+	Legislative Assembly
79	181		b."Compelling reason" means a recorded statement that reflects consideration of:
80		-	(1)The child's age; H. B. NO. 1556 - PAGE 3
81		-	(2)The portion of the child's life spent living in the household of a parent of the child;
	182	+	(1)The child's age;
	183	+	(2)The portion of the child's life spent living in the household of a parent of the
	184	+	child;
82	185		(3)The availability of an adoptive home suitable to the child's needs;
83	186		(4)Whether the child has special needs; and
84	187		(5)The expressed wishes of a child age ten or older.
85	188		c."Department" means the department of health and human services.
86		-	d."Human service zone" means a county or consolidated group of counties administering
87		-	human services within a designated area in accordance with an agreement or plan
88		-	approved by the department.
89		-	2.A petition for termination of parental rights must be prepared, filed, and served upon the
90		-	parties by the state's attorney. A petition may also be prepared by any other person that is not
91		-	the court, including a law enforcement officer, who has knowledge of the facts alleged or is
92		-	informed and believes that they are true. A petition prepared by any person other than a
93		-	state's attorney may not be filed unless the director or the court has determined the filing of
94		-	the petition is in the best interest of the public and the child.
95		-	3.Except as provided in subsection 4, a petition for termination of parental rights must be filed:
96		-	a.If the child has been in foster care, in the custody of the department, human service
97		-	zone, or, in cases arising out of an adjudication by the court of a child in a delinquency
98		-	case, the division of juvenile services, for at least four hundred fifty out of the previous six
99		-	hundred sixty nights;
	189	+	d."Human service zone" means a county or consolidated group of counties
	190	+	administering human services within a designated area in accordance with an
	191	+	agreement or plan approved by the department.
	192	+	2.A petition for termination of parental rights must be prepared, filed, and served upon
	193	+	the parties by the state's attorney. A petition may also be prepared by any other
	194	+	person that is not the court, including a law enforcement officer, who has knowledge of
	195	+	the facts alleged or is informed and believes that they are true. A petition prepared by
	196	+	any person other than a state's attorney may not be filed unless the director or the
	197	+	court has determined the filing of the petition is in the best interest of the public and
	198	+	the child.
	199	+	3.Except as provided in subsection 4, a petition for termination of parental rights must be
	200	+	filed:
	201	+	a.If the child has been in foster care, in the custody of the department, human
	202	+	service zone, or, in cases arising out of an adjudication by the court of a child in a
	203	+	delinquency case, the division of juvenile services, for at least four hundred fifty
	204	+	out of the previous six hundred sixty nights;
100	205		b.Within sixty days after the court has found the child to be an abandoned infant; or
101		-	c.Within sixty days after the court has convicted the child's parent of one of the following
102		-	crimes, or of an offense under the laws of another jurisdiction which requires proof of
103		-	substantially similar elements:
104		-	(1)A violation of section 12.1-16-01, 12.1-16-02, or 12.1-16-03, or subsection 1 of
105		-	section 14-09-22 in which the victim is another child of the parent;
	206	+	c.Within sixty days after the court has convicted the child's parent of one of the
	207	+	following crimes, or of an offense under the laws of another jurisdiction which
	208	+	requires proof of substantially similar elements:
	209	+	(1)A violation of section 12.1-16-01, 12.1-16-02, or 12.1-16-03, or subsection 1
	210	+	of section 14-09-22 in which the victim is another child of the parent;
	211	+	Page No. 4 25.1093.02003
	212	+	1
	213	+	2
	214	+	3
	215	+	4
	216	+	5
	217	+	6
	218	+	7
	219	+	8
	220	+	9
	221	+	10
	222	+	11
	223	+	12
	224	+	13
	225	+	14
	226	+	15
	227	+	16
	228	+	17
	229	+	18
	230	+	19
	231	+	20
	232	+	21
	233	+	22
	234	+	23
	235	+	24
	236	+	25
	237	+	26
	238	+	27
	239	+	28
	240	+	29
	241	+	30 Sixty-ninth
	242	+	Legislative Assembly
106	243		(2)Aiding, abetting, attempting, conspiring, or soliciting a violation of section
107		-	12.1-16-01, 12.1-16-02, or 12.1-16-03 in which the victim is a child of the parent; or
108		-	(3)A violation of section 12.1-17-02 in which the victim is a child of the parent and has
109		-	suffered serious bodily injury.
	244	+	12.1-16-01, 12.1-16-02, or 12.1-16-03 in which the victim is a child of the
	245	+	parent; or
	246	+	(3)A violation of section 12.1-17-02 in which the victim is a child of the parent
	247	+	and has suffered serious bodily injury.
110	248		4.A petition for termination of parental rights need not be filed if:
111	249		a.The child is being cared for by a relative approved by the human service zone;
112		-	b.The human service zone has documented in the case plan a compelling reason for
113		-	determining that filing such a petition would not be in the child's best interests and has
114		-	notified the court that the documentation is available for review by the court; or
	250	+	b.The human service zone has documented in the case plan a compelling reason
	251	+	for determining that filing such a petition would not be in the child's best interests
	252	+	and has notified the court that the documentation is available for review by the
	253	+	court; or
115	254		c.The human service zone has determined:
116		-	(1)Reasonable efforts to preserve and reunify the family are required under section
117		-	27-20.3-26 to be made with respect to the child;
118		-	(2)The case plan provides such services are necessary for the safe return of the child
119		-	to the child's home; and H. B. NO. 1556 - PAGE 4
120		-	(3)Such services have not been provided consistent with time periods described in the
121		-	case plan.
122		-	5.For purposes of subsection 3, a child in foster care entered foster care on the earlier of:
	255	+	(1)Reasonable efforts to preserve and reunify the family are required under
	256	+	section 27-20.3-26 to be made with respect to the child;
	257	+	(2)The case plan provides such services are necessary for the safe return of
	258	+	the child to the child's home; and
	259	+	(3)Such services have not been provided consistent with time periods
	260	+	described in the case plan.
	261	+	5.For purposes of subsection 3, a child in foster care entered foster care on the earlier
	262	+	of:
123	263		a.The date of the court's order if the court:
124		-	(1)Made a finding that the child has been subjected to child abuse or neglect or ~~the~~
125		-	child is in need of protection under subdivision i of subsection 5 of ~~section~~
126		-	27 - 20.3 - 01 ;
127		-	(2)Determined that it is unsafe or contrary to the welfare of the child to remain ~~in the~~
128		-	home; and
129		-	(3)Granted custody of the child to the human service zone or, in cases arising ~~out of an~~
130		-	adjudication by the court that a child is in need of services, the ~~division of juvenile~~
131		-	services; or
	264	+	(1)Made a finding that the child has been subjected to child abuse or neglect or
	265	+	the child is in need of protection under subdivision i of subsection 5 of
	266	+	section 27 - 20.3 - 01 ;
	267	+	(2)Determined that it is unsafe or contrary to the welfare of the child to remain
	268	+	in the home; and
	269	+	(3)Granted custody of the child to the human service zone or, in cases arising
	270	+	out of an adjudication by the court that a child is in need of services, the
	271	+	division of juvenile services; or
132	272		b.The date that is sixty days after:
133		-	(1)The date of a hearing under section 27-20.3-10 which results in maintaining a child
134		-	in shelter care;
135		-	(2)The date of an order in a dispositional hearing under which a child is placed in
136		-	foster care; or
137		-	(3)The date a child is placed in foster care voluntarily and with the consent of the
138		-	child's parent.
	273	+	Page No. 5 25.1093.02003
	274	+	1
	275	+	2
	276	+	3
	277	+	4
	278	+	5
	279	+	6
	280	+	7
	281	+	8
	282	+	9
	283	+	10
	284	+	11
	285	+	12
	286	+	13
	287	+	14
	288	+	15
	289	+	16
	290	+	17
	291	+	18
	292	+	19
	293	+	20
	294	+	21
	295	+	22
	296	+	23
	297	+	24
	298	+	25
	299	+	26
	300	+	27
	301	+	28
	302	+	29
	303	+	30 Sixty-ninth
	304	+	Legislative Assembly
	305	+	(1)The date of a hearing under section 27-20.3-10 which results in maintaining
	306	+	a child in shelter care;
	307	+	(2)The date of an order in a dispositional hearing under which a child is placed
	308	+	in foster care; or
	309	+	(3)The date a child is placed in foster care voluntarily and with the consent of
	310	+	the child's parent.
139	311		6.For purposes of subsection 3, a child leaves foster care at the time:
140	312		a.The court enters an order:
141		-	(1)Denying a petition to grant care, custody, and control of the child to the ~~human~~
142		-	service zone or the division of juvenile services;
143		-	(2)Terminating an order that granted custody of the child to the human service ~~zone or~~
144		-	the division of juvenile services; or
	313	+	(1)Denying a petition to grant care, custody, and control of the child to the
	314	+	human service zone or the division of juvenile services;
	315	+	(2)Terminating an order that granted custody of the child to the human service
	316	+	zone or the division of juvenile services; or
145	317		(3)Appointing a legal guardian under chapter 27-20.1;
146		-	b.The court order under which the child entered foster care ends by operation of law;
147		-	c.The child is placed in a parental home by the court or a legal custodian other than the
148		-	division of juvenile services and the legal custodian lacks authority to remove the child
149		-	without further order of the court; or
	318	+	b.The court order under which the child entered foster care ends by operation of
	319	+	law;
	320	+	c.The child is placed in a parental home by the court or a legal custodian other
	321	+	than the division of juvenile services and the legal custodian lacks authority to
	322	+	remove the child without further order of the court; or
150	323		d.The child is placed in a parental home by the division of juvenile services.
151		-	7.For purposes of subsection 3, a child is not in foster care on any night during which ~~the child~~
152		-	is:
	324	+	7.For purposes of subsection 3, a child is not in foster care on any night during which
	325	+	the child is:
153	326		a.On a trial home visit;
154	327		b.Receiving services at the youth correctional center pursuant to an adjudication of
155	328		delinquency; or
156		-	c.Absent without leave from the place in which the child was receiving foster care. H. B. NO. 1556 - PAGE 5
157		-	SECTION 4. CHILDREN'S CABINET - WORKGROUP - OUT -OF-HOME PLACEMENT OR
158		-	TREATMENT OF CHILDREN WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES - REPORT.
159		-	1.During the 2025-26 interim, the children's cabinet shall establish a workgroup to study the
160		-	out-of-home placement or treatment of children with serious behavioral health issues. The
161		-	study must include consideration of children who also are involved in juvenile court
162		-	proceedings due to criminal activity.
	329	+	c.Absent without leave from the place in which the child was receiving foster care.
	330	+	SECTION 4. CHILDREN'S CABINET - WORK GROUP - OUT -OF-HOME PLACEMENT
	331	+	OR TREATMENT OF CHILDREN WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES - REPORT.
	332	+	1.During the 2025-26 interim, the children's cabinet shall establish a work group to study
	333	+	the out-of-home placement or treatment of children with serious behavioral health
	334	+	issues. The study must include consideration of children who also are involved in
	335	+	juvenile court proceedings due to criminal activity.
	336	+	Page No. 6 25.1093.02003
	337	+	1
	338	+	2
	339	+	3
	340	+	4
	341	+	5
	342	+	6
	343	+	7
	344	+	8
	345	+	9
	346	+	10
	347	+	11
	348	+	12
	349	+	13
	350	+	14
	351	+	15
	352	+	16
	353	+	17
	354	+	18
	355	+	19
	356	+	20
	357	+	21
	358	+	22
	359	+	23
	360	+	24
	361	+	25
	362	+	26
	363	+	27
	364	+	28
	365	+	29
	366	+	30
	367	+	31 Sixty-ninth
	368	+	Legislative Assembly
163	369		2.The work group shall develop and implement a system of care for children with serious
164		-	behavioral health issues, who may be involved in juvenile court proceedings due to criminal
165		-	activity, and who are in need of out-of-home placement or treatment.
166		-	3.The workgroup must be led by a consultant with expertise in navigating and managing the
167		-	intersecting systems involved in the out-of-home placement and treatment processes for
168		-	children with serious behavioral health issues and children involved in juvenile court
169		-	proceedings due to criminal activity.
170		-	4.The workgroup shall provide bimonthly reports to the children's cabinet on the assessment of
171		-	needs, resources, challenges, options, and solutions.
172		-	SECTION 5. EXPIRATION DATE. Sections 1, 2, and 3 of this Act are effective through July 31,
173		-	2027, and after that date are ineffective.
174		-	SECTION 6. EMERGENCY. This Act is declared to be an emergency measure. H. B. NO. 1556 - PAGE 6
175		-	____________________________ ____________________________
176		-	Speaker of the House President of the Senate
177		-	____________________________ ____________________________
178		-	Chief Clerk of the House Secretary of the Senate
179		-	This certifies that the within bill originated in the House of Representatives of the Sixty-ninth Legislative
180		-	Assembly of North Dakota and is known on the records of that body as House Bill No. 1556 and that
181		-	two-thirds of the members-elect of the House of Representatives voted in favor of said law.
182		-	Vote: Yeas 91 Nays 0 Absent 3
183		-	____________________________ ____________________________
184		-	Speaker of the House Chief Clerk of the House
185		-	This certifies that two-thirds of the members-elect of the Senate voted in favor of said law.
186		-	Vote: Yeas 46 Nays 0 Absent 1
187		-	____________________________ ____________________________
188		-	President of the Senate Secretary of the Senate
189		-	Received by the Governor at ________M. on _____________________________________, 2025.
190		-	Approved at ________M. on __________________________________________________, 2025.
191		-	____________________________
192		-	Governor
193		-	Filed in this office this ___________day of _______________________________________, 2025,
194		-	at ________ o’clock ________M.
195		-	____________________________
196		-	Secretary of State
	370	+	behavioral health issues, who may be involved in juvenile court proceedings due to
	371	+	criminal activity, and who are in need of out-of-home placement or treatment.
	372	+	3.The work group must be led by a consultant with expertise in navigating and managing
	373	+	the intersecting systems involved in the out-of-home placement and treatment
	374	+	processes for children with serious behavioral health issues and children involved in
	375	+	juvenile court proceedings due to criminal activity.
	376	+	4.The work group shall provide bimonthly reports to the children's cabinet on the
	377	+	assessment of needs, resources, challenges, options, and solutions.
	378	+	SECTION 5. EXPIRATION DATE. Sections 1, 2, and 3 of this Act are effective through
	379	+	July 31, 2027, and after that date are ineffective.
	380	+	SECTION 6. EMERGENCY. This Act is declared to be an emergency measure.
	381	+	Page No. 7 25.1093.02003
	382	+	1
	383	+	2
	384	+	3
	385	+	4
	386	+	5
	387	+	6
	388	+	7
	389	+	8
	390	+	9
	391	+	10
	392	+	11
	393	+	12