§ 7–241. Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the term:

(1) “Agency” means an agency, department, unit, or instrumentality of the District of Columbia government.

(2) “Disclosure” means the release, transfer, provision of access to, or distribution of information in any manner by an entity holding the information to a person outside of the entity.

(3) “Health and human services information” means any information that relates to:

(A) The past, present, or future physical or mental health of an individual or family;

(B) The provision of health care or human services, including benefits or supports, to an individual or family; or

(C) The past, present, or future payment for the provision of health care or human services to an individual or family.

(4) “HIPAA” means the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, approved August 21, 1996 (110 Stat. 1936; 42 U.S.C. § 1320d et seq.), and the regulations issued pursuant to it.

(5) “Human services” means programs, assistance, supports, or benefits of any kind to improve quality of life or to meet the social, physical health, housing, and mental health needs of an individual.

(6) “Identified individual” means a natural person to whom health and human services information pertains.

(7) “Individually identifiable health information” shall have the same meaning as it does in HIPAA.

(8) “Person” means a natural person, firm, company, association, corporation, service provider, or government instrumentality or agency.

(9) “Service provider” means an entity that provides health or human services to District residents pursuant to a contract, grant, or other similar agreement with an agency.

(10) “Use” means the sharing, employment, application, utilization, examination, or analysis of health and human services information.