1.    As used in this section, “unaccompanied homeless minor” means a minor fourteen years of age or older living in one of the situations described in 42 U.S.C. § 11434a(2) and who is not in the care and physical custody of a parent or legal guardian.

Terms Used In North Dakota Code 14-10-20

  • children: includes children by birth and by adoption. See North Dakota Code 1-01-18
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Individual: means a human being. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49

2.    An unaccompanied homeless minor may consent to, contract for, and receive medical, dental, or behavioral health examinations, care, or treatment without permission, authority, or consent of a parent or guardian. Acceptable documentation demonstrating an individual is an unaccompanied homeless minor includes:

a.    A statement documenting such status, signed by a director or designee of a governmental or nonprofit entity that receives public or private funding to provide services to individuals who are homeless; b.    A statement documenting such status, signed by a local educational agency liaison for homeless children and youth designated pursuant to 42 U.S.C.

11432(g)(1)(J)(ii), a local educational agency foster care point of contact designated pursuant to 20 U.S.C. § 6312(c)(5)(A), or a school social worker or counselor; c.    A statement documenting such status, signed by an attorney representing the individual in any legal matter; or

d.    A statement documenting such status, signed by the individual and two adults with knowledge of the individual’s actual circumstances.

3.    This section does not authorize an unaccompanied homeless minor to consent to an abortion or otherwise supersede the requirements of chapter 14-02.1.

4.    An unaccompanied homeless minor who is a parent may consent to, contract for, and receive medical, dental, and behavioral health examinations, care, or treatment for the minor’s child.

5.    A physician or other qualified professional licensed to practice in this state who provides medical, dental, or behavioral health examinations, care, or treatment to an unaccompanied homeless minor under this section may not be held liable in any civil or criminal action for providing such services without having obtained permission from the minor’s parent or guardian. This section does not relieve the physician or other    qualified professional from liability for negligence in the diagnosis or treatment of an unaccompanied homeless minor.

6.    Identification of an individual as an unaccompanied homeless minor automatically does not mean the individual is a neglected child as defined in section 50-25.1-02.

7.    This section does not supersede the mandatory reporting requirements of section 50-25.1-03.