Religion, culture, and life experiences often affect our thoughts on the subject of euthanasia. North Dakota, like most states, prohibits euthanasia.
North Dakota Euthanasia Overview
Planning for the end of life, before or after being diagnosed with a terminal illness, is not an easy topic. Nor is health care planning always pleasant to discuss with your loved ones. However, one of the best ways to avoid problems at the end of life is to make your health care wishes known in a legal document, called a Living Will.You can choose a health care agent to make decisions for you if you become incapacitated. You can also create a document called a DNR or Do Not Resuscitate informing emergency medical service providers you don’t want CPR.
For anyone with thoughts of suicide, you can always call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. For caregivers seeking support, try contacting the North Dakota Family Caregiver Support Program about caregiver services at 1-855-462-5465 to see if there are resources in your area.
The table below highlights the main parts of North Dakota's euthanasia laws.
Explanation of Chart and More Information on Euthanasia Laws
| Code Section | 23-06.4-01 and 11; 23-06.5-01 |
| Euthanasia Condoned in Statutes? | Euthanasia, mercy killing, or assisted suicide is not condoned or authorized by North Dakota law, nor is any other act or omission other than to allow the natural process of dying. |
| Effect of Withholding of Life-Sustaining Procedures | Death resulting from withholding or withdrawal of life-prolonging treatment does not constitute for any purpose, suicide or homicide. |
| Penalty for Assisting Another's Suicide | Any person who intentionally or knowingly aids, abets, facilitates, solicits, or incites another person to commit suicide, or who provides to, delivers to, procures for, or prescribes for another person any drug or instrument with knowledge that the other person intends to attempt to commit suicide with the drug or instrument is guilty of a class C felony. Â |
Note: State laws may change at any time through the enactment of new legislation, decisions from higher courts (state and federal), and other means. While we strive to maintain the accuracy of these pages, you also may want to contact a North Dakota health care attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Research the Law
North Dakota Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia Laws: Related Resources
