Prohibits a hospital from denying health care treatment or services to an individual based on COVID-19 vaccination status

State: ND
Bill Number: HB 1502
Position: SUPPORT
Action Required: NONE
Status: ENACTED, signed by Governor Doug Burgum on 4/7/2023, Effective date 8/1/2023

Legislation Details:

UPDATE:4/7/2023 - HB 1502 was enacted. It was signed by Governor Doug Burgum on 4/7/2023, with effective date of 8/1/2023. View the enrolled version HERE

UPDATE:4/6/2023 - HB 1502 was sent to the Governor on 4/6/2023.

UPDATE: 3/31/2023 - HB 1502 passed the full House by a vote of 27 yes and 17 no. 

UPDATE: 3/29/2023 - HB 1502 was reported back from the Senate Human Services Committee without recommendation by a vote of 6 Yes, 0 No. 

UPDATE: 3/14/2023 - The hearing was held on HB 1502 and the vote was not yet taken.  Continue to contact the Senate Human Services Committee members until a vote is taken. Sometimes a vote is not taken on the day of the hearing. 

UPDATE: 3/9/2023 - HB 1502 was scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Human Services Committee on 3/14/2023 at 11:15 am in the Fort Lincoln Room. The agenda can be viewed here. To submit public testimony, follow the instructions at this link

UPDATE: 2/16/2023 - HB 1502 was referred to the Senate Human Services Committee on 2/16/2023. 

UPDATE: 2/15/2023 - HB 1502 received in the Senate on 2/15/2023. 

UPDATE: 2/14/2023 - HB 1502 passed Second reading in the full House by a vote of 87 Yeas, 4 Nays on 2/14/2023. 

UPDATE: 2/11/2023 - HB 1502 was amended and passed the House Human Services Committee on 2/10/2023.  The amendment removed sections on death data and the prohibition of requiring hospitals and health care facilities from requiring COVID-19 or experimental vaccines.  

The only section left in the engrossed version is:

COVID-19 vaccination status - Access to care. A hospital may not deny health care treatment or services to an individual based on that individual's severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, identified as SARS - CoV - 2 (COVID - 19) vaccination status.

NVIC supports prohibiting a hospital from denying treatment or services based on COVID vaccination status, however this bill is not as strong as it was before the committee amendments. 

HB 1502 is scheduled for a hearing in the House Human Services Committee on 1/23/2023 at 2:30 PM in the Pioneer Room.  Link to submit testimony by 1:30 PM on 1/23/2023 - https://www.ndlegis.gov/legend/committee/testimony/public-testimony/2012/?hearing=4786   

This bill is sponsored by Representative Hoverson with 10 cosponsors. 

This bill would add 3 new sections of law:

Medical certification - COVID-19.

A medical certification must include data regarding whether a death is related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, identified as SARS - CoV - 2 (COVID - 19), including the COVID-19 vaccination status of a COVID-19-related death and whether a death is caused by a COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID - 19 and experimental vaccinations.

1. An employer that is a hospital or a health care facility may not:

a. Require an employee to be vaccinated against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, identified as SARS - CoV - 2 (COVID - 19) or receive an

experimental vaccine, as a condition of employment.

b. Promote employee vaccination against COVID - 19 or receipt of an experimental

vaccine.

2. A hospital or health care facility that violates this section may be liable to the employee for wages lost as a result of the violation.

COVID-19 vaccination status - Access to care.

A hospital may not deny health care treatment or services to an individual based on that individual's severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, identified as SARS - CoV – 2 (COVID - 19) vaccination status.

https://www.ndlegis.gov/assembly/68-2023/regular/bill-overview/bo1502.html - text, status and history for HB 1502