§ 12.1-19.1-01 — Definitions

North Dakota § 12.1-19.1-01

• Jurisdiction: North Dakota
• Title 12.1: Criminal Code
• Ch. 12.1-19.1: Abortion

Text

As used in this chapter:
1. "Abortion" means the act of using, selling, or prescribing any instrument, medicine,
drug, or any other substance, device, or means with the intent to terminate the
clinically diagnosable pregnancy of a woman, including the elimination of one or more
unborn children in a multifetal pregnancy, with knowledge the termination by those
means will with reasonable likelihood cause the death of the unborn child. The use,
sale, prescription, or means is not an abortion if done with the intent to:
a. Remove a dead unborn child caused by spontaneous abortion;
b. Treat a woman for an ectopic pregnancy; or
c. Treat a woman for a molar pregnancy.
2. "Physician" means an individual licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy under
chapter 43-17 or a physician who practices in the armed services of the United States
or in the employ of the United States.
3. "Probable gestational age of the unborn child" means what, in reasonable medical
judgment, will with reasonable probability be the gestational age of the unborn child.
4. "Reasonable medical judgment" means a medical judgment that would be made by a
reasonably prudent physician who is knowledgeable about the case and the treatment
possibilities with respect to the medical conditions involved.
5. "Serious health risk" means a condition that, in reasonable medical judgment,
complicates the medical condition of the pregnant woman so that it necessitates an
abortion to prevent substantial physical impairment of a major bodily function, not
including any psychological or emotional condition. The term may not be based on a
claim or diagnosis that the woman will engage in conduct that will result in her death or
in substantial physical impairment of a major bodily function.