2013 North Dakota Century Code Title 23 Health and Safety Chapter 23-07.7 Court-Ordered Testing for Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Download as PDF
CHAPTER 23-07.7
COURT-ORDERED TESTING FOR SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
23-07.7-01. Court-ordered sexual offense medical testing.
1. The court may order any defendant charged with a sex offense under chapter 12.1-20
and any alleged juvenile offender with respect to whom a petition has been filed in a
juvenile court alleging violation of chapter 12.1-20 to undergo medical testing to
determine whether the defendant or alleged juvenile offender has any sexually
transmitted diseases, including a test for infection with the human immunodeficiency
virus or any other identified positive agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
The court may not order a defendant charged with violating section 12.1-20-12.1 or
12.1-20-13 or an alleged juvenile offender with respect to when a petition has been
filed in a juvenile court alleging violation of section 12.1-20-12.1 or 12.1-20-13 to
undergo the testing authorized by this section. The court may order the testing only if
the court receives a petition from the alleged victim of the offense or from the
prosecuting attorney if the alleged victim has made a written request to the
prosecuting attorney to petition the court for an order authorized under this section. On
receipt of a petition, the court shall determine, without a hearing, if probable cause
exists to believe that a possible transfer of a sexually transmitted disease or human
immunodeficiency virus took place between the defendant or alleged juvenile offender
and the alleged victim. If the court determines probable cause exists, the court shall
order the defendant or alleged juvenile offender to submit to testing and that a copy of
the test results be released to the defendant's or alleged juvenile offender's physician
and each requesting victim's physician.
2. If a defendant is charged with a sexual offense under chapter 12.1-20 in which the
alleged victim is compelled by force or threat to engage in sexual activity or sexual
contact, the prosecuting attorney shall inform the alleged victim that the alleged victim
may request that a test for infection with the human immunodeficiency virus or any
other identified agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome be administered to the
defendant. If the alleged victim requests that the test be administered, the prosecuting
attorney shall notify the court. The court shall order that the test be administered within
forty-eight hours after the date the complaint or information is filed or after the
defendant's initial appearance.
3. If a test is ordered under subsection 1 or 2, the physicians for the defendant or alleged
juvenile offender and requesting alleged victim must be specifically named in the court
order, and the court order must be served on the physicians before any test.
23-07.7-02. Testing procedures - Results of test - Penalty.
1. If testing is ordered by a court under section 23-07.7-01, only a health care provider,
blood bank, blood center, or plasma center may obtain a specimen of bodily fluids or
tissues for the purpose of testing.
2. The court shall order that the specimen be transmitted to a licensed medical laboratory
and that tests be conducted for medically accepted indications of exposure to or
infection by acquired immunodeficiency syndrome virus, acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome-related conditions, and sexually transmitted diseases for which medically
approved testing is readily and economically available as determined by the court.
3. The laboratory shall send a copy of the test results to the physicians designated in the
court order, who shall then release the test results to the defendant or alleged juvenile
offender and each requesting victim as designated in the court order. The court order
must be served on the physicians before any test. The laboratory also shall send a
copy of test results that indicate exposure to or infection by acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome virus, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related
conditions, or other sexually transmitted diseases to the state department of health.
4. Every copy of the test results must include the following disclaimer:
The testing was conducted in a medically approved manner, but tests cannot
determine exposure to or infection by acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or
Page No. 1
5.
6.
7.
8.
other sexually transmitted diseases with absolute accuracy. Anyone receiving this
test result should continue to monitor their own health and should consult a
physician as appropriate.
The court shall order all persons, other than the test subject, who receive test results
pursuant to section 23-07.7-01, to maintain the confidentiality of personal identifying
data relating to the test results except for disclosure that may be necessary to obtain
medical or psychological care or advice. A person who intentionally discloses the
results of any test in violation of this subsection and thereby causes bodily or
psychological harm to the subject of the test is guilty of a class C felony.
The specimens and the results of tests ordered pursuant to section 23-07.7-01 are not
admissible evidence in any civil, criminal, or juvenile proceeding.
Any person who performs testing, transmits test results, or discloses information
pursuant to this chapter is immune from civil liability for any action undertaken in
accordance with this chapter, except for an act or omission that constitutes gross
negligence.
The county in which the alleged violation of chapter 12.1-20 occurred shall pay for the
testing. A defendant who is convicted of the offense shall reimburse the county for the
costs of testing.
Page No. 2
Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. North Dakota may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
