Current through 2024 Legislative Session
Section 50-24.8-12 - Investigative demands and administrative subpoenas - Failure to comply - Confidentiality1. If the attorney general, or a designee, has reason to believe a person may be in possession, custody, or control of documentary material or information relevant to an investigation under this chapter, the attorney general, or a designee, may, before commencing a proceeding under section 50-24.8-04 issue in writing and cause to be served upon the person, an investigative demand or administrative subpoena requiring the person to, under oath: a. Produce the documentary material for inspection and copying, including exempt and confidential records;b. Answer in writing written interrogatories with respect to the documentary material or information;c. Give oral testimony concerning the subject matter of the investigation, including any documentary material or information; ord. Furnish any combination of the material, answers, or testimony.2. If a person objects to or otherwise fails to comply with an investigative demand or administrative subpoena served upon that person under subsection 1, the attorney general may file in the district court a petition for an order to enforce the demand or subpoena. If the court finds the demand or subpoena is proper, the court shall order the person to comply with the demand or subpoena and may grant such injunctive or other relief as may be required until the person complies with the demand or subpoena. Notice of hearing on the petition and a copy of the petition must be served upon the person that may appear in opposition to the petition. If the attorney general prevails in an action brought under this subsection, the court shall award to the attorney general reasonable attorney's fees, costs, and expenses incurred in bringing the action.3. Any testimony taken or material produced under this section must be kept confidential by the attorney general before bringing an action against a person under this chapter for the violation under investigation, unless:a. Confidentiality is waived by the person being investigated and the person that testified, answered interrogatories, or produced material;b. Disclosure is authorized by the court;c. Disclosure is made to other law enforcement agencies; ord. Disclosure is made to non-law enforcement investigative partners with which the attorney general deems necessary to collaborate to complete the investigation.4. Disclosure pursuant to this section is not a violation of section 12.1-13-01.5. An active investigation record of the Medicaid fraud control unit is an exempt record unless the investigation is closed and not referred for further investigation or adjudication.Amended by S.L. 2023 , ch. 444( HB 1434 ), § 1, eff. 8/1/2023.Amended by S.L. 2021 , ch. 328( HB 1349 ), § 8, eff. 8/1/2021.Added by S.L. 2019 , ch. 415( SB 2347 ), § 12, eff. 8/1/2019.