ND SB2151

Amends section 23-06.5-17 of the North Dakota Century Code to provide an optional health care directive form allowing individuals to appoint a health care agent, give health care instructions, and make anatomical gifts.

Permits appointment of a primary health care agent and an optional alternate agent to make health care decisions if the principal becomes unable to do so, with agent powers including consent/refusal of care, selection of providers, choice of care location, and access to medical records.

Requires health care agents to follow the principal's written instructions or act in the principal's best interest if no instructions are provided; prohibits treating health care providers, facility operators, and their non-relative employees from serving as agents.

Requires completion of Part II (health care instructions) at minimum if no agent is appointed to create a valid health care directive, allowing individuals to specify preferences for treatment in various medical scenarios including recovery, terminal illness, permanent unconsciousness, and complete dependency.

Document must be notarized or signed by two qualified witnesses who are at least eighteen years old; disqualifies agents, spouses, blood relatives, heirs, and creditors from serving as witnesses or notaries.