39-08-10.1. Investigating agency responsible to notify immediate family

39-08-10.1. Investigating agency responsible to notify immediate family 1. In the event of serious injury to or death of any person, under circumstances leading to the notification of a law enforcement agency, the investigating law enforcement agency shall, upon positive identification of the person or persons involved, be responsible for immediately notifying the immediate family of the person or persons seriously injured or deceased, or making arrangements to have the immediate family notified by clergy or other suitable person. 2. The investigating law enforcement agency may not release to the public the identity of the person or persons seriously injured or deceased until the first of the following events occurs: a. A member of the immediate family has been notified and given an opportunity to notify other immediate family members; or b. Twenty-four hours have elapsed from the time positive identification was made. 3. For purposes of this section, "immediate family" means spouse, parent, child, sibling, or any person who regularly resides in the household of the seriously injured or deceased person.