{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-7-2304.01","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 7-2304.01","heading":"Issuance of public health emergency executive order.","body":"(a)\nWhen the Mayor declares a public emergency pursuant to § 7-2304, the Mayor may issue an additional executive order to proclaim a public health emergency if the Mayor has reasonable cause to believe that there is an imminent hazard of or actual occurrence of any of the following harms:\n(1)\nA large number of deaths in the District of Columbia;\n(2)\nA large number of serious or long-term human health disabilities in the District of Columbia;\n(3)\nWidespread exposure to an infectious or toxic agent that poses a significant risk of substantial future harm to a large number of people in the District of Columbia;\n(4)\nUse, dissemination, or detonation of a weapon of mass destruction, as defined by Chapter 31A of Title 22, in the District of Columbia; or\n(5)\nOther emergency events that create an acute and immediate need for volunteer health practitioners.\n\n(b)\nAn executive order issued pursuant to this section shall be subject to the publication requirements of § 7-2306(d).\n\n(c)\nA public health emergency executive order shall specify:\n(1)\nThe existence, nature, extent, and severity of the public health emergency;\n(2)\nThe geographic areas subject to the declaration;\n(3)\nThe conditions that have brought about the public health emergency, if known;\n(4)\nThe measures necessary to relieve the public health emergency;\n(5)\nThe specific requirements of the order and the persons upon whom the order is binding; and\n(6)\nThe duration of the order, which shall be consistent with the provisions of § 7-2306.\n\n(d)\nA public health emergency executive order may include terms that:\n(1)\nRequire that the conduct and management of the affairs and property of licensed health care providers in the District of Columbia shall be such that they will reasonably assist and not unreasonably detract from the ability of the District of Columbia government to successfully respond to and control the public health emergency in accordance with the provisions of the District of Columbia response plan and of subchapter II of Chapter 1 of this title;\n(2)\nAppoint licensed health care providers, either from the District of Columbia or from other jurisdictions, as temporary agents of the District of Columbia; provided, that such appointments are:\n(A)\nIn effect solely for the duration of the public health emergency;\n(B)\nIn effect solely for the purpose of assisting the District of Columbia in implementing the provisions of the District of Columbia response plan and of subchapter II of Chapter 1 of this title; and\n(C)\nWithout compensation;\n(3)\nExempt licensed health care providers, either from the District of Columbia or from other jurisdictions, from civil liability for damages for any actions taken within the scope of the provider’s employment or voluntary service to implement the provisions of the District of Columbia response plan and of subchapter II of Chapter 1 of this title, except in instances of gross negligence, and solely for the duration of the public health emergency; and\n(4)\nWaive any licensing requirements, permits, or fees otherwise required by District of Columbia law to allow health care providers from other jurisdictions appointed as temporary agents to respond to the public health emergency pursuant to this subsection; provided, that the appointed temporary agents are licensed in their home jurisdictions in their fields of expertise.\n\n(d-1)\nExcept as otherwise provided in an executive order issued pursuant to this section, this section shall not otherwise restrict or limit the use and deployment of volunteer health practitioners or the rights, privileges, duties, and immunities provided to volunteer health practitioners pursuant to Chapter 23C of this title [§ 7-2361.01 et seq.].\n\n(e)\nThe Mayor, pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2, shall issue regulations to implement the provisions of this section.","path":["Title 7. Human Health Care and Safety.","Chapter 23. Public Emergencies."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/7-2304.01","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"8de1ac7ba604df4dc1e0e164414a804ccb60a4d00475c0ca8f05b8faef257051","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-7-2304","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-7-2305"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}