D.C. Code § 7-131
This is the official text of D.C. Code § 7-131, part of District of Columbia’s Code — part of the compiled statutory law of District of Columbia, published by the state as "Code." Browse the sections below, each linked to its official government source.
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§ 7-131. Regulations to prevent spread of communicable diseases.
Official statutory text
(a) The Mayor may, upon the advice of the Director of the Department of Health and pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2 , issue rules to prevent and control the spread of communicable diseases, environmentally or occupationally related diseases, and other diseases or medical conditions that the Director of the Department of Health has advised should be monitored for epidemiological or other public health reasons. These rules may include, but shall not necessarily be limited to:
(1) A list of reportable diseases and conditions;
(2) Reporting procedures; and
(3) Requirements and procedures for restriction of movement, isolation, and quarantine not inconsistent with this subchapter.
(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Director of the Department of Health shall use the records incident to the case of a disease or medical condition reported under this subchapter for statistical and public health purposes only, and identifying information contained in these records shall be disclosed only when essential to safeguard the physical health of others. No person shall otherwise disclose or redisclose identifying information derived from these records unless:
(A) The person reported gives his or her prior written permission; or
(B) A court finds, upon clear and convincing evidence and after granting the person reported an opportunity to contest the disclosure, that disclosure:
(i) Is essential to safeguard the physical health of others; or
(ii) Would afford evidence probative of guilt or innocence in a criminal prosecution.
(2) The constraints on disclosure and redisclosure of identifying information set forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply to the disclosure and use of information disclosed and used pursuant to:
(A) Subchapter I of Chapter 13 of Title 4 [ § 4-1301.01 et seq.]; or
(B) Chapter 23 of Title 16 .
(1) A list of reportable diseases and conditions;
(2) Reporting procedures; and
(3) Requirements and procedures for restriction of movement, isolation, and quarantine not inconsistent with this subchapter.
(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Director of the Department of Health shall use the records incident to the case of a disease or medical condition reported under this subchapter for statistical and public health purposes only, and identifying information contained in these records shall be disclosed only when essential to safeguard the physical health of others. No person shall otherwise disclose or redisclose identifying information derived from these records unless:
(A) The person reported gives his or her prior written permission; or
(B) A court finds, upon clear and convincing evidence and after granting the person reported an opportunity to contest the disclosure, that disclosure:
(i) Is essential to safeguard the physical health of others; or
(ii) Would afford evidence probative of guilt or innocence in a criminal prosecution.
(2) The constraints on disclosure and redisclosure of identifying information set forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply to the disclosure and use of information disclosed and used pursuant to:
(A) Subchapter I of Chapter 13 of Title 4 [ § 4-1301.01 et seq.]; or
(B) Chapter 23 of Title 16 .
Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site
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