HB 1189 Summary

• Adds a new exception to North Dakota's prepaid legal services plan regulations for plans that pay only an administrative fee to an attorney, clarifying this does not constitute payment for or reimbursement of legal services and court costs.

• Modifies section 26.1-19-03 of the North Dakota Century Code to add the administrative fee exception to the list of plans exempt from prepaid legal services plan requirements.

• Modifies section 26.1-43-03 to add a similar exception for plans that do not include assumption of risk or obligation to pay for specified legal services, specifying that administrative fees alone do not constitute reimbursement for beneficiary legal fees, costs, or expenses.

• Passed the House with 93 yeas, 0 nays, and 1 absent; passed the Senate with 46 yeas, 0 nays, and 1 absent.