§ 3–1201.01. General definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the term:

(1) “Board” means the Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, [the] Board of Chiropractic, the Board of Dentistry, the Board of Dietetics and Nutrition, the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy, the Board of Medicine, the Board of Nursing, the Board of Long-Term Care Administration, the Board of Occupational Therapy, the Board of Optometry, the Board of Pharmacy, the Board of Physical Therapy, the Board of Podiatry, the Board of Professional Counseling, the Board of Psychology, the Board of Respiratory Care, the Board of Social Work, or the Board of Veterinary Medicine, established by this chapter, as the context requires.

(1A) “Boards of Allied Health” means the Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, the Board of Dentistry, the Board of Dietetics and Nutrition, the Board of Massage Therapy, the Board of Long-Term Care Administration, the Board of Occupational Therapy, the Board of Optometry, the Board of Physical Therapy, the Board of Podiatry, and the Board of Respiratory Care.

(1B) “Boards of Behavioral Health” means the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy, the Board of Professional Counseling, the Board of Psychology, and the Board of Social Work.

(1B-i) "Certified midwife" means a person licensed in the District under this chapter to practice certified midwifery who has graduated from a graduate-level midwifery education program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education or its successor organization and holds a valid certification from the American Midwifery Certification Board or its successor organization.

[(1C)] "Certified nurse-midwife" means a qualified registered nurse who holds a valid certification from the American Midwifery Certification Board.

[(1D)] "Certified professional midwife" or "CPM" means a person licensed in the District under this chapter to practice certified professional midwifery who holds a valid certification from the North American Registry of Midwives.

[(1E)] “Clinical laboratory practitioner” means a cytotechnologist, histologic technician, histotechnologist, medical laboratory technician, medical technologist, or a phlebotomist.

(2) “Collaboration” means the process in which health professionals jointly contribute to the health care of patients with each collaborator performing actions he or she is licensed or otherwise authorized to perform pursuant to this chapter.

(3) “Corporation Counsel” means the Corporation Counsel of the District of Columbia.

(4) “Council” means the Council of the District of Columbia.

(5) “Day” means calendar day unless otherwise specified in this chapter.

(6) “District” means the District of Columbia.

(6A) “Domestic partner” shall have the same meaning as provided in § 32-701(3).

(6B) “Domestic partnership” shall have the same meaning as provided in § 32-701(4).

(6C)(A) "Doula" means an individual certified by the Board of Medicine to provide culturally competent and continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to a birthing parent during pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum, including:

(i) Providing support to pregnant individuals and their families, including surrogates and adoptive parents;

(ii) Conducting prenatal and postpartum visits;

(iii) Accompanying pregnant individuals to health care and social service appointments;

(iv) Connecting individuals to medical, community-based, or government-funded resources, including those addressing social determinants of health; and

(v) Providing support to individuals following either the loss of pregnancy or birth of a child for up to one year.

(B) A doula may not:

(i) Perform clinical tasks or replace trained licensed medical professionals; or

(ii) Engage in the practice of medicine as defined in § 3-1201.02(7).

(6D) "Financial exploitation" means the non-accidental act or omission by a health professional, without the consent of the patient, client, or employer, causing monetary or property loss to the patient, client, or employer, or monetary or property gain to the health professional which gain would otherwise benefit a patient, client, or employer, but for the non-accidental action or omission of the health professional. Financial exploitation may result from consent obtained as a result of misrepresentation, undue influence, coercion, or threat of force by the health professional. Financial exploitation may not result from a bona fide gift.

(7) “Health occupation” means a practice that is regulated under the authority of this chapter.

(8) “Health professional” means a person licensed under this chapter or permitted by this chapter to practice a health occupation in the District.

(9) “Impaired health professional” means a health professional who is unable to perform his or her professional responsibilities reliably due to a mental or physical disorder, excessive use of alcohol, or habitual use of any narcotic or controlled substance or any other drug in excess of therapeutic amounts or without valid medical indication.

(9A) "Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive" means a contraceptive that requires administering less than once per cycle or month.

(10) “Mayor” means the Mayor of the District of Columbia.

[(10A)] "MBC" means a Midwifery Bridget certificate issued by the North American Registry of Midwives that documents completion of accredited continuing education for Certified Professional Midwives based upon identified areas to address education in emergency skills and other competencies set by the International Confederation of Midwives.

[(10B)] "MEAC" means the Midwifery Education Accreditation Council, the U.S. Department of Education-recognized commission that provides accreditation for programs and institutions that meet the International Confederation of Midwives competencies and the North American Registry of Midwives skills and standards for midwifery practice.

[(10C)] "National Association of Certified Professional Midwives" or "NACPM" means the national professional and standard setting association specific to Certified Professional Midwives.

[(10D)] "Patient-client" means a person under the care of a midwife and such person's fetus or newborn.

(11) “Person” means an individual, corporation, trustee, receiver, guardian, representative, firm, partnership, society, school, or other entity.

(11A) "Personal medical record" means:

(A) A copy of a medical bill or a medical billing record with individually identifiable health information, including an audit trail of any additions, deletions, or revisions to the record; or

(B) Protected health information as defined in 45 C.F.R. § 160.103.

(11B) "Postpartum" means the time after delivery when maternal physiological changes related to pregnancy return to the nonpregnant state, which may last for as long as 12 months after delivery.

(12) Repealed.

(12A) “Revocation” means termination of the right to practice a health profession and loss of licensure, registration, or certification for 5 years or more.

(12B) "Self-administered hormonal contraceptive" means a contraceptive containing hormones approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that is administered by the patient orally, transdermally, or vaginally.

(13) “State” means any of the several states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States.

(14) “Superior Court” means the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

(15) “Suspension” means termination of the right to practice a health profession for a specified period of time of less than 5 years or until such time that the specified conditions in an order are satisfied.

(16) “Veterinarian” means a person who is a graduate of a school of veterinary medicine and has received a doctorate in veterinary medicine or its equivalent.

(17) “Veterinary euthanasia technician” means a person certified by the Mayor to euthanize animals within the District.

(18) “Veterinary facility” means a fixed or mobile establishment where veterinary medicine is practiced. The term “veterinary facility” shall not include:

(A) Wildlife rehabilitation facilities, as defined in § 47-2888.01(3); and

(B) Animal shelters, as defined in § 47-2888.01(1).

(19) “Veterinary technician” means a person certified by the Mayor to perform acts relating to maintenance of the health or treatment of an animal, except for the performance of surgery, diagnosis, or prescribing of medication for any animal.