§ 23-01-15 — Research studies confidential - Penalty

1. All information, records of interviews, written reports, statements, notes, memoranda,
or other data procured by the department of health and human services, in connection
with studies conducted by the department of health and human services, or carried on
by the department jointly with other persons, agencies, or organizations, or procured
by such other persons, agencies, or organizations, for the purpose of reducing the
morbidity or mortality from any cause or condition of health is confidential and must be
used solely for the purposes of medical or scientific research.
2. Such information, records, reports, statements, notes, memoranda, or other data is not
admissible as evidence in any action of any kind in any court or before any other
tribunal, board, agency, or person. Such information, records, reports, statements,

notes, memoranda, or other data may not be exhibited nor their contents disclosed in
any way, in whole or in part, by any officer or representative of the department of
health and human services, nor by any other person, except as may be necessary for
the purpose of furthering the research project to which they relate. No person
participating in such research project may disclose, in any manner, the information so
obtained except in strict conformity with such research project. No officer or employee
of said department may interview any patient named in any such report, nor a relative
of any such patient, unless the consent of the attending physician and surgeon is first
obtained.
3. The furnishing of such information to the department of health and human services or
its authorized representative, or to any other cooperating agency in such research
project, does not subject any person, hospital, sanitarium, rest home, nursing home, or
other person or agency furnishing such information, to any action for damages or other
relief.