ND SB2128

Amends North Dakota Century Code section 43-17-42 to allow hospitals licensed under chapter 23-16 to employ physicians directly or indirectly if the employment relationship is evidenced by a written contract stating the hospital's employment does not affect the physician's independent judgment in medical practice.

Extends physician employment authority to nonprofit entities and charitable trusts specifically for conducting hyperbaric oxygen therapy, provided employment is evidenced by a written contract with language protecting physician independence.

Clarifies that hospitals, nonprofit entities, and charitable trusts employing physicians under these conditions are not themselves engaged in the practice of medicine.

Declares the act an emergency measure.

Senate passage: 45-1 with 1 absent; House passage: 93-1 with 0 absent.