This bill seeks to amend and enact various sections of the North Dakota Century Code concerning guardianship and conservatorship laws, focusing on the processes surrounding the removal, resignation, and death of guardians, as well as the confidentiality of related reports. Key provisions include the introduction of informed consent for health care decisions for incapacitated individuals, which can now be made by a psychiatrist or psychologist, and the establishment of an "alternative resource plan" to provide support services as alternatives to guardianship. The bill also clarifies the appointment and reappointment procedures for guardians, allowing for extensions of guardianship orders for up to ninety days under specific conditions, and emphasizes the need to maintain the least restrictive form of intervention for individuals under guardianship.

Additionally, the bill modifies the definitions of key terms, such as "protected person" and "protective proceeding," and introduces new terms like "refusal" regarding medication. It enhances the procedural framework for the appointment, removal, and resignation of guardians, including informal requests for removal and mandatory court hearings within sixty days. The bill also establishes notice requirements for guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, mandates annual reporting by guardians, and allows for the subpoena of report preparers in court. Overall, the proposed changes aim to modernize the legal framework surrounding guardianship and conservatorship in North Dakota, enhancing protections for incapacitated individuals while ensuring accountability and transparency in the management of their affairs.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 23-12-13, 25-03.1-18.1, 27-20.1-17, 30.1-01-06, 30.1-28-03.1, 30.1-28-03.2, 30.1-28-04, 30.1-28-05, 30.1-28-07, 30.1-28-09, 30.1-28-10.1, 30.1-28-12, 30.1-28-12.1, 30.1-28-12.2, 30.1-29-05, 30.1-29-07, 30.1-29-08, 30.1-29-13, 30.1-29-18, 30.1-29-19, 30.1-29-20.1, 30.1-29-22, 30.1-29-25
Adopted by the Senate Judiciary Committee: 23-12-13, 25-03.1-18.1, 27-20.1-17, 30.1-01-06, 30.1-28-03.1, 30.1-28-03.2, 30.1-28-04, 30.1-28-05, 30.1-28-07, 30.1-28-09, 30.1-28-10.1, 30.1-28-12, 30.1-28-12.1, 30.1-28-12.2, 30.1-29-05, 30.1-29-07, 30.1-29-08, 30.1-29-13, 30.1-29-18, 30.1-29-19, 30.1-29-20.1, 30.1-29-22, 30.1-29-25
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 23-12-13, 25-03.1-18.1, 27-20.1-17, 30.1-01-06, 30.1-28-03.1, 30.1-28-03.2, 30.1-28-04, 30.1-28-05, 30.1-28-07, 30.1-28-09, 30.1-28-10.1, 30.1-28-12, 30.1-28-12.1, 30.1-28-12.2, 30.1-29-05, 30.1-29-07, 30.1-29-08, 30.1-29-13, 30.1-29-18, 30.1-29-19, 30.1-29-20.1, 30.1-29-22, 30.1-29-25
Adopted by the House Human Services Committee: 23-12-13, 25-03.1-18.1, 27-20.1-17, 30.1-01-06, 30.1-28-03.1, 30.1-28-03.2, 30.1-28-04, 30.1-28-05, 30.1-28-07, 30.1-28-09, 30.1-28-10.1, 30.1-28-12, 30.1-28-12.1, 30.1-28-12.2, 30.1-29-05, 30.1-29-07, 30.1-29-08, 30.1-29-13, 30.1-29-18, 30.1-29-19, 30.1-29-20.1, 30.1-29-22, 30.1-29-25
25.1110.02004 : 23-12-13, 25-03.1-18.1, 27-20.1-17, 30.1-01-06, 30.1-28-03.1, 30.1-28-03.2, 30.1-28-04, 30.1-28-05, 30.1-28-07, 30.1-28-09, 30.1-28-10.1, 30.1-28-12, 30.1-28-12.1, 30.1-28-12.2, 30.1-29-05, 30.1-29-07, 30.1-29-08, 30.1-29-13, 30.1-29-18, 30.1-29-19, 30.1-29-20.1, 30.1-29-22, 30.1-29-25
Enrollment: 23-12-13, 25-03.1-18.1, 27-20.1-17, 30.1-01-06, 30.1-28-03.1, 30.1-28-03.2, 30.1-28-04, 30.1-28-05, 30.1-28-07, 30.1-28-09, 30.1-28-10.1, 30.1-28-12, 30.1-28-12.1, 30.1-28-12.2, 30.1-29-05, 30.1-29-07, 30.1-29-08, 30.1-29-13, 30.1-29-18, 30.1-29-19, 30.1-29-20.1, 30.1-29-22, 30.1-29-25