(Prairie Public Radio) – A new State Hospital will likely be proposed to the 2021 Legislature.

Prairie Public Radion reports, Hospital Superintendent Dr. Rosalie Etherington, says the results of that bed study will be given to the Legislature’s interim Human Services Committee.

Governor Burgum had proposed building a new state hospital in his 2019 executive budget. It was a part of a major change in corrections facilities. The James River Correctional Center is on the same campus as the state hospital.

An interim Legislative committee is also studying North Dakota’s mental health commitment statute  and procedures  to see if it should be changed.

Etherington says the education will help make sure people aren’t going without care. And she says in some instances, that’s been the case.

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