Definitions
N.D. Cent. Code § 37-17.4-01
in effect37-17.4-01. Definitions
In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Disaster relief organization" means an entity that provides emergency or disaster
relief services that include health or veterinary services provided by volunteer health
practitioners and which:
a. Is designated or recognized as a provider of those services pursuant to a disaster
response and recovery plan adopted by an agency of the federal government, the
department of health and human services, or the state board of animal health; or
b. Regularly plans and conducts its activities in coordination with an agency of the
federal government, the department of health and human services, or the state
board of animal health.
2. "Emergency" means an event or condition that is a disaster or an emergency as
defined under chapter 37-17.1 and any event, condition, or incident for which the
deployment of volunteer health practitioners is determined to be necessary by the
department of health and human services, a local board of health, or the state
veterinarian.
3. "Emergency declaration" means a declaration or proclamation of disaster or
emergency issued by the governor.
4. "Emergency management assistance compact" means the interstate compact
approved by Congress by Public Law No. 104-321 [110 Stat. 3877].
5. "Entity" means a person other than an individual.
6. "Health facility" means an entity licensed under the laws of this or another state to
provide health or veterinary services.
7. "Health practitioner" means an individual licensed under the laws of this or another
state to provide health or veterinary services and any other individual performing
nonmedical support disaster or emergency responsibilities or duties at any place in
this state subject to the order or control of, or pursuant to a request of, the department
of health and human services or a local public health unit and deployed through the
emergency system for advance registration of volunteer health professionals.
8. "Health services" means the provision of treatment, care, advice or guidance, or other
services, or supplies related to the health or death of individuals or human populations,
to the extent necessary to respond to an emergency, including:
a. The following, concerning the physical or mental condition or functional status of
an individual or affecting the structure or function of the body:
(1) Preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative, maintenance, or palliative
care; and
(2) Counseling, assessment, procedures, or other services;
b. Sale or dispensing of a drug, a device, equipment, or another item to an
individual in accordance with a prescription; and
c. Funeral, cremation, cemetery, or other mortuary services.
9. "Host entity" means an entity operating in this state which uses volunteer health
practitioners to respond to an emergency.
10. "License" means authorization by a state to engage in health or veterinary services
that are unlawful without the authorization. The term includes authorization under the
laws of this state to an individual to provide health or veterinary services based upon a
national certification issued by a public or private entity.
11. "Scope of practice" means the extent of the authorization to provide health or
veterinary services granted to a health practitioner by a license issued to the
practitioner in the state in which the principal part of the practitioner's services are
rendered, including any conditions imposed by the licensing authority.
12. "Veterinary services" means the provision of treatment, care, advice or guidance, or
other services, or supplies related to the health or death of an animal or animal
populations, to the extent necessary to respond to an emergency, including:
a. Diagnosing, treating, or preventing an animal disease, injury, or other physical or
mental condition by prescribing, administering, or dispensing vaccine, medicine,
surgery, or therapy;
b. Using a procedure for reproductive management; and
c. Monitoring and treating animal populations for diseases that have spread or
demonstrate the potential to spread to humans.
13. "Volunteer health practitioner" means a health practitioner who provides health or
veterinary services, whether or not the practitioner receives compensation for those
services. The term does not include a practitioner who receives compensation
pursuant to a pre-existing employment relationship with a host entity or affiliate which
requires the practitioner to provide health services in this state, unless the practitioner
is not a resident of this state and is employed by a disaster relief organization
providing services in this state during an emergency.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t37c17-4.pdf#nameddest=37-17p4-01Fetched: 10/16/2026