N.D. Cent. Code § 30.1-04-20: (2-121) Parent-child relationship - Child born to a gestational carrier

1.In this section:

a."Gestational agreement" means an enforceable or unenforceable agreement for assisted reproduction in which a woman agrees to carry a child to birth for an intended parent, intended parents, or an individual described in subsection 5.

b."Gestational carrier" means a woman who is not an intended parent and who gives birth to a child under a gestational agreement. The term is not limited to a woman who is the child's genetic mother.

c."Gestational child" means a child born to a gestational carrier under a gestational agreement.

d."Intended parent" means an individual who entered into a gestational agreement providing that the individual will be the parent of a child born to a gestational carrier by means of assisted reproduction. The term is not limited to an individual who has a genetic relationship with the child.

2.A parent-child relationship is conclusively established by a court order designating the parent or parents of a gestational child.

3.A parent-child relationship between a gestational child and the child's gestational carrier does not exist unless the gestational carrier is:

a.Designated as a parent of the child in a court order described in subsection 2; or

b.The child's genetic mother and a parent-child relationship does not exist with an individual other than the gestational carrier under this section.

4.In the absence of a court order under subsection 2, a parent-child relationship exists between a gestational child and an intended parent who:

a.Functioned as a parent of the child no later than two years after the child's birth; or

b.Died while the gestational carrier was pregnant if:

(1)There were two intended parents and the other intended parent survived the birth of the child and functioned as a parent of the child no later than two years after the child's birth;

(2)There were two intended parents, the other intended parent also died while the gestational carrier was pregnant, and a relative of either deceased intended parent or the spouse or surviving spouse of a relative of either deceased intended parent functioned as a parent of the child no later than two years after the child's birth; or

(3)There was no other intended parent and a relative of or the spouse or surviving spouse of a relative of the deceased intended parent functioned as a parent of the child no later than two years after the child's birth.

5.In the absence of a court order under subsection 2, a parent-child relationship exists between a gestational child and an individual whose sperm or eggs were used after the individual's death or incapacity to conceive a child under a gestational agreement entered into after the individual's death or incapacity if the individual intended to be treated as the parent of the child. The individual's intent can be shown by:

a.A record, signed by the individual that, considering all the facts and circumstances, evidences the individual's intent; or

b.Other facts and circumstances establishing the individual's intent by clear and convincing evidence.

6.Except as otherwise provided in subsection 7, and unless there is clear and convincing evidence of a contrary intent, an individual is deemed to have intended to be treated as the parent of a gestational child for purposes of subdivision b of subsection 5 if:

a.The individual, before death or incapacity, deposited the sperm or eggs that were used to conceive the child;

b.When the individual deposited the sperm or eggs, the individual was married and no divorce proceedings were pending; and

c.The individual's spouse or surviving spouse functioned as a parent of the child not later than two years after the child's birth.

7.The presumption under subsection 6 does not apply if there is a court order under subsection 2 or a signed record that satisfies subdivision a of subsection 5.

8.If, under this section, an individual is a parent of a gestational child who is conceived after the individual's death, the child is treated as in gestation at the individual's death for purposes of subdivision b of subsection 1 of section 30.1-04-04 if the child is in utero not later than thirty-six months after the individual's death or born not later than forty-five months after the individual's death.

9.This section does not affect other law of this state regarding the enforceability or validity of a gestational agreement.