JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The North Dakota state legislature moved to put money aside to conduct a study for a new State Hospital in Jamestown.

The study requests a general design of a new hospital along with determining costs. The Legislature also made moves to address some concerns with the aging campus.

Superintendent of the State Hospital Rosalie Etherington.

Etherington says these studies will focus on long-term plans for acute psychiatric hospitalization and support needs along with short-term to contract with other facilities in four cities to provide treatment services.

Options to replace the existing state hospital facility with one or more facilities will also be explored.

While authority was not given to build a new hospital, the budget will allow for emergency funds in case of building failure. Etherington says they will also be demolishing three buildings on the campus that are condemned and not operable.

Pamela Sagness, Director of Human Services Behavioral Health Division, stated she would like to see the governing body take a position on the building of a new state hospital.

Mandan State Representative Karen Rohr said they would need to explore if a new hospital would really be needed.

The board will later decide on taking a position on the issue.