{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-7-661.01","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 7-661.01","heading":"Definitions.","body":"For the purposes of this chapter, the term:\n\n(1)\n\"Attending physician\" shall have the same meaning as provided in § 7-621(1); provided, that the attending physician's practice shall not be primarily or solely composed of patients requesting a covered medication.\n\n(2)\n\"Capable\" means that, in the opinion of a court or the patient's attending physician, consulting physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist, a patient has the ability to make and communicate health care decisions to health care providers.\n\n(3)\n\"Consulting physician\" means a physician who is qualified by specialty or experience to make a professional diagnosis and prognosis regarding the patient's disease and who is willing to participate in the provision of a covered medication to a qualified patient in accordance with this chapter.\n\n(4)\n\"Counseling\" means one or more consultations as necessary between a District licensed psychiatrist or psychologist and a patient for the purpose of determining that the patient is capable and not suffering from a psychiatric or psychological disorder or depression causing impaired judgment.\n\n(5)\n\"Covered medication\" means a medication prescribed pursuant to this chapter for the purpose of ending a person's life in a humane and peaceful manner.\n\n(6)\n\"Department\" means the Department of Health.\n\n(7)\n\"Health care facility\" means a hospital or long-term care facility.\n\n(8)\n\"Health care provider\" means a person, partnership, corporation, facility, or institution that is licensed, certified, or authorized under District  law to administer health care or dispense medication in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession.\n\n(9)\n\"Hospital\" shall have the same meaning as provided in § 44-501(a)(1).\n\n(10)\n\"Informed decision\" means a decision by a qualified patient to request and obtain a prescription for a covered medication that is based on an appreciation of the relevant facts and is made after being fully informed by the attending physician of:\n(A)\nHis or her medical diagnosis;\n(B)\nHis or her prognosis;\n(C)\nThe potential risks associated with taking the covered medication;\n(D)\nThe probable results of taking the covered medication; and\n(E)\nFeasible alternatives to taking the covered medication, including comfort care, hospice care, and pain control.\n\n(11)\n\"Long-term care facility\" means a nursing home or community residence facility, as defined by § 44-501(a)(3) and (4), or an assisted living residence, as defined by § 44-102.01(4).\n\n(12)\n\"Medically confirmed\" means the medical opinion of the attending physician has been confirmed by a consulting physician who has examined the patient and the patient's relevant medical records.\n\n(13)\n\"Patient\" means a person who has attained 18 years of age, resides in the District of Columbia, and is under the care of a physician.\n\n(14)\n\"Physician\" shall have the same meaning as provided in § 7-621(4).\n\n(15)\n\"Qualified patient\" means a patient who:\n(A)\nHas been determined to be capable; and\n(B)\nSatisfies the requirements of this chapter in order to obtain a prescription for a covered medication.\n\n(16)\n\"Terminal disease\" means an incurable and irreversible disease that has been medically confirmed and will, within reasonable medical judgment, result in death within 6 months.","path":["Title 7. Human Health Care and Safety.","Chapter 6B. Physician Assisted Death."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/7-661.01","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"65bf7fc6b0bcd842cb8d0ff9254ce27d31f012638c30137e93d9ab6607031dc3","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-7-651.17","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-7-661.02"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}