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HB 1450

A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 14-10 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to parent and guardian access to the medical examination room of a minor.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Karen Anderson and 7 co-sponsors

Gives a parent/guardian full access to a minor's exam room during care and requires clear notice about standardized questions, with privacy options on request.

Second reading, failed to pass, yeas 18 nays 29
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Bill Summary · HB 1450

Summary — HB 1450 (North Dakota): Parent/Guardian Access to Minor’s Medical Examination Room

Status (ND): Introduced Nov 21, 2024. Reached second reading and failed to pass (second reading vote: yeas 18, nays 29; April 10, 2025). Bill would have created a new section in chapter 14‑10 of the North Dakota Century Code.

Main purpose

To require health care providers and facilities to allow a parent or guardian “full and complete access” to the examination room when a minor is receiving medical care, and to require notice to parents/guardians about standardized questions posed to minors.

Key provisions

  • Creates a new statutory right giving a parent or guardian of a minor full and complete access to the examination room while the minor is receiving medical care (applies when the parent/guardian is present).
  • Notice requirements:
    • Providers/health care facilities must give clear, conspicuous notice of the right to access before the minor is taken into the exam room.
    • Providers must give the parent/guardian written notice before any standardized oral or written screening/questions are asked of the minor (regardless of whether the parent/guardian stays in the room). That notice must include:
    • The right to opt out of answering questions unrelated to the purpose of the visit.
    • Whether the minor’s answers will be shared with others, stored in the medical record, or otherwise recorded.
    • A list—or, in some drafts, an explicit statement—of categories/topics that may be asked (examples across versions include gender, sexual/reproductive health, alcohol/substance use, home/family life, firearms/weapons, mental/behavioral health, or anything beyond immediate treatment).
  • Privacy accommodations: if the exam involves a private area of the body and the parent/guardian remains in the room, the facility must provide a privacy screen or other mechanism on request.
  • Exceptions: the provisions do not apply to (a) a legally emancipated minor; and (b) suspected human trafficking or suspected physical/sexual abuse when the provider has documented concerns and notified appropriate authorities (some versions specifically referenced suspected physical or sexual abuse).

Who is affected

  • Parents and guardians: gains explicit statutory access and notice rights.
  • Minors: potential reduction in confidential interactions with providers for sensitive services (depending on exceptions and practice).
  • Health care providers and facilities: new notice, documentation, and accommodation requirements; potential operational and privacy implications.
  • Emancipated minors and cases of documented abuse/trafficking are carved out.

Implementation, enforcement, and fiscal/timeline notes

  • The bill would add a new section to NDCC ch. 14‑10; no criminal penalties or private-right‑of‑action language is specified in the text provided.
  • The bill failed on second reading (yeas 18, nays 29) and did not advance. If reintroduced, implementation would depend on final text (scope of exceptions, enforcement, and any regulatory guidance).
  • Potential operational impacts on clinics include staff training, new written‑notice forms, recordkeeping, and physical accommodations (privacy screens). Potential legal interaction with existing minor‑consent/confidentiality laws and federal programs (e.g., Title X) merits review by providers and counsel.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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