AN ACT to create and enact chapter 43-44.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to adoption of the dietitian licensure compact.
SB 2223 creates a new chapter in the North Dakota Century Code to adopt the Dietitian Licensure Compact. The compact is intended to make it easier for licensed dietitians to practice across state lines by allowing a qualifying dietitian to hold a home-state license and obtain a compact privilege in other member states, similar to a multistate practice authorization. It is designed to improve access to dietetic services, reduce the need for multiple licenses, support telehealth and interstate practice, and help military members and spouses maintain licensure portability.
The bill sets out detailed eligibility standards for compact privilege, including education, supervised practice, examination, an unencumbered home-state license, jurisprudence requirements in the remote state, and criminal history checks. It also establishes rules for home-state changes, military home-state designation, adverse actions, investigations, data sharing, and a compact commission with rulemaking and enforcement authority. The compact would supersede conflicting state laws to the extent of any conflict, while preserving state authority over single-state licenses and state practice laws that are not inconsistent with the compact.
If enacted, the bill would add chapter 43-44.1 to state law and make North Dakota a member of the Dietitian Licensure Compact, creating a framework for interstate practice of dietetics and medical nutrition therapy. It would affect the state licensing authority by requiring participation in a shared data system, reporting adverse actions and investigative information, recognizing compact privileges from other member states, and enforcing compact rules. It also authorizes fees, criminal background checks for compact privilege applicants, and participation in a multistate commission that can adopt binding rules and manage compliance among member states.
The voting history suggests broad support for the bill. It passed the Senate 43-3 and the House 84-5, indicating strong bipartisan approval and little recorded opposition. No committee transcripts were provided, so the available record shows a generally favorable sentiment centered on licensure portability, workforce flexibility, and improved access to services.
The main points of potential contention are the compact’s effect on state regulatory control and the scope of the commission’s authority. The bill allows compact rules to have the force of law in member states and supersedes conflicting state laws to the extent of conflict, which may raise concerns about state autonomy. Other possible concerns include mandatory data sharing, criminal background checks, interstate disciplinary coordination, and the requirement that remote-state practitioners follow local practice laws while being exempt from remote-state continuing education requirements. The strong vote totals suggest these issues did not generate significant resistance in the legislature.