AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 15-11 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the establishment of the North Dakota center for aerospace medicine for mental health support and certification assistance; and to provide an appropriation.
House Bill 1612 creates the North Dakota Center for Aerospace Medicine at the University of North Dakota, housed under the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences and coordinated with the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences. The center is intended to provide mental health resources and certification assistance to flight students, pilots, and other aviation professionals, including those in commercial aviation, unmanned aircraft systems, and air traffic control. It also directs the center to work with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Aerospace Medicine, support access to aviation medical examiners, and provide education and outreach on mental health in aviation.
The bill also includes a one-time appropriation of $500,000 total for the 2025-2027 biennium: $250,000 from the community health trust fund and $250,000 from federal funds or other outside sources. Those funds may be used for planning, development, establishment, and operation of the center, including staffing, training, outreach, facility and assessment materials, and initial research. The measure amends state law by adding a new section to chapter 15-11 of the North Dakota Century Code, which governs higher education institutions and related programs.
HB 1612 adds a new statutory program within North Dakota higher education law requiring the University of North Dakota to establish and operate a specialized aerospace medicine center. The bill creates a state-supported structure for mental health support and FAA medical certification assistance, with an emphasis on rural access and coordination with aviation medical examiners and federal aerospace medicine officials. It also authorizes a one-time appropriation from the community health trust fund and other sources to launch the program.
The bill appears to have broad bipartisan support and was approved by large margins in both chambers. The House and Senate votes suggest generally favorable sentiment toward the measure, likely reflecting support for aviation workforce needs, mental health access, and UND’s role in aerospace education and research. No committee transcript was provided, so the available record shows strong legislative backing without detailed recorded debate.
The main potential points of contention are the use of public funds, especially the community health trust fund, and whether the state should create a new specialized center rather than rely on existing university or health resources. Some lawmakers may also have concerns about the scope of the center’s mission, its coordination with federal FAA certification processes, and whether the program will effectively improve access for pilots and aviation professionals, particularly in rural areas. However, the recorded votes indicate these concerns did not prevent passage by substantial margins.