AN ACT to create and enact a new chapter to title 28 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to vexatious litigation; and to declare an emergency.

SB 2382 creates new rules in North Dakota law to address vexatious litigation, which occurs when someone repeatedly files lawsuits without legal basis to harass others or delay court proceedings. It defines a "vexatious litigant" as a person who has filed multiple unmeritorious cases or engaged in abusive tactics within seven years, and allows courts to issue a "prefiling order" requiring such individuals to get court permission before filing new cases or documents. This order may block filings without permission, require payment of costs for frivolous filings, or mandate security deposits. The law aims to reduce court burden by preventing repeated abuse of the system, with affected individuals having 14 days to respond to the order and limited appeal rights. The bill was signed into law by the governor on March 28, 2025.