25.0814.01001
Title.02000
Adopted by the Human Services
Committee
Sixty-ninth
January 21, 2025
Legislative Assembly
of North Dakota
Introduced by
Senators Lee, Cleary, Larson
Representatives Beltz, Ista, Jonas
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 10 of section 50-25.1-02 and section
50-25.1-11.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the definition of a children's
advocacy center and the confidentiality of communications and records in the possession of a
children's advocacy center.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. Subsection 10 of section 50-25.1-02 of the North Dakota
Century Code is amended and reenacted as follows:
10."Children's advocacy center" means a fullan accredited or associate member of the
national children's alliance which assists in the coordination of the investigation in
response to allegations of child abuse by providing a dedicated child-friendly location
at which to conduct forensic interviews, forensic medical examinations, and other
appropriate services and which promotes a comprehensive multidisciplinary team
response to allegations of child abuse. The team response may include forensic
interviews, forensic medical examinations, mental health and related support services,
advocacy, and case review.
SECTION 2. AMENDMENT. Section 50-25.1-11.1 of the North Dakota Century Code is
amended and reenacted as follows:
Page No. 1 25.0814.01001
SENATE BILL NO. 2173
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO
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17 Sixty-ninth
Legislative Assembly
50-25.1-11.1. Children's advocacy centers - Confidentiality of records - Criminal
history record checks.
1.Records and digital media in the possession of a children's advocacy center relating to
a forensic medical examination, forensic interview, advocacy, or therapy are
confidential and only may be released only to or shared with a person other than a law
enforcement agency, the department or the department's authorized agent, a
prosecutor, a court, another children's advocacy center, or a medical or mental health
professional when the child comes before the medical or mental health professional in
that person's professional capacity, upon service of a subpoena signed by a judge.
2.The staff of a children's advocacy center may communicate with a law enforcement
agency, the department or the department's authorized agent, a prosecutor, a court,
another children's advocacy center, or a medical or mental health professional in that
individual's official capacity, for the purpose of discussing a forensic medical
examination, forensic interview, advocacy, or therapy.
3.The department may submit a request for a criminal history record check under
section 12-60-24 on a board member, an employee, a final applicant for employment
of a children's advocacy center, a contractor, or a volunteer of a children's advocacy
center who has contact with a child at or through a children's advocacy center.
3.4.As used in this section, "board member" means an individual serving on the board of a
children's advocacy center.
Page No. 2 25.0814.01001
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