§ 50-06-26 — Alternatives-to-abortion program

North Dakota § 50-06-26

• Jurisdiction: North Dakota
• Title 50: Public Welfare
• Ch. 50-06: Department of Health and Human Services

Text

1. As used in this section, "support services" includes medical services and post-abortion
services.
2. The department shall establish and maintain an alternatives-to-abortion program that
disburses funds to nongovernmental entities that provide services that promote
childbirth instead of abortion by providing information, counseling, support services,
and material assistance to pregnant women, women who believe they may be
pregnant, and parents or other relatives caring for children twelve months of age or
younger.
3. The department, in consultation with a nongovernmental entity that provides
alternatives-to-abortion services, shall contract to inform the public about this program.
4. A religious organization receiving disbursements under the alternatives-to-abortion
program may retain its independence from state and local governments, including the
organization's control over the definition, development, practice, and expression of its
religious beliefs.
5. The department may not require a religious organization to alter its form of internal
governance, or remove religious art, icons, scripture, or other symbols as a condition
to receiving disbursements from the alternatives-to-abortion program.
6. If an individual receiving services under the alternatives-to-abortion program has an
objection to the religious character of the entity providing alternatives-to-abortion
services, the department shall, within a reasonable period of time after the date of the
objection, make reasonable efforts to provide the individual with assistance of an equal
value from an alternative provider accessible to the individual.
7. Except as otherwise provided by law, a religious organization may not discriminate
against an individual in regard to providing alternatives-to-abortion services on the
basis of religion, religious belief, or refusal to actively participate in religious practice.

8. If a religious organization segregates funds received from the alternatives-to-abortion
program into a separate account, then only the account in which funds were deposited
may be subject to an audit by the state.
9. Funds from the alternatives-to-abortion program may not be used for religious worship,
instruction, or proselytization.