N.D. Cent. Code § 25-03.1-36
If any patient escapes from a treatment facility, the superintendent or director may cause an immediate search to be made. If the patient cannot be found, the superintendent or director shall cause notice of the escape to be given forthwith to the court of the county of residence of the patient and to such health officials or officers of the law as may be of assistance in locating the patient. If the patient is found in the county of residence, the court, at the request of the superintendent or director, shall cause the patient to be returned to the treatment facility and shall issue its order to that effect. The patient must thereupon be transported to the treatment facility as provided in other cases. Should the patient be found other than in the county of the patient's residence, the patient may be transported at the request of the superintendent to the state hospital as directed and at the expense of the state hospital.
N.D.C.C. § 25-03.1-36