The Mayor may, upon the advice of the Commissioner of Public Health and pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2, issue rules to prevent and monitor the occurrence of ophthalmia in newborns. Unless the Mayor provides otherwise, each physician or nurse-midwife who delivers or otherwise assumes the initial care of a newborn shall immediately upon that delivery or assumption of care administer to each eye of the newborn a 1% solution of silver nitrate, an ophthalmic ointment containing either 1% tetracycline or 0.5% erythromycin, or another prophylactic approved by the Mayor.
(Apr. 27, 1937, 50 Stat. 120, ch. 144, § 1; Aug. 1, 1950, 64 Stat. 393, ch. 513, § 1; Feb. 21, 1986, D.C. Law 6-83, § 4(a), 32 DCR 7276.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 6-301.
1973 Ed., § 6-201.
Legislative History of Laws
Law 6-83, the "Preventive Health Services Amendments Act of 1985," was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 6-99, which was referred to the Committee on Human Services. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on November 5, 1985, and November 19, 1985, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on November 27, 1985, it was assigned Act No. 6-108 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review.
Miscellaneous Notes
Office of Director of Public Health abolished: See Historical and Statutory Notes following § 7-101.
Whenever a physician or nurse-midwife discovers that a newborn in his or her care has inflammation of the eye(s) with suppuration, he or she shall report these symptoms to the Commissioner of Public Health within 6 hours of their discovery. Upon receipt of such communication the Commissioner of Public Health, unless he finds such report to be incorrect, shall issue an order directing the parents of such child (or other person charged with its care) either to: (1) place such child in the care of a registered physician; or (2) submit immediately satisfactory proof of inability to pay for such medical service. If the Director of the Department of Human Services finds that the parents or such other person are unable to pay for such medical treatment, he shall order the parents (or such other person) to place the child in a hospital to be designated by the Department of Human Services and at the expense of said Department.
(Apr. 27, 1937, 50 Stat. 120, ch. 144, § 2; Aug. 1, 1950, 64 Stat. 393, ch. 513, § 1; Feb. 21, 1986, D.C. Law 6-83, § 4(b), 32 DCR 7276.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 6-302.
1973 Ed., § 6-202.
Legislative History of Laws
For legislative history of D.C. Law 6-83, see Historical and Statutory Notes following § 7-801.
Miscellaneous Notes
Office of Director of Public Health abolished: See Historical and Statutory Notes following § 7-101.
Health Department abolished: See Historical and Statutory Notes following § 7- 180.
No person other than a registered physician shall treat any case of inflammation of the eyes, attended by a discharge therefrom, of a newborn child for any period longer than may be necessary to obtain the services of a registered physician.
(Apr. 27, 1937, 50 Stat. 120, ch. 144, § 3.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 6-303.
1973 Ed., § 6-203.
Any person who willfully violates this subchapter or any rule, regulation, or order issued pursuant to this subchapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000. Prosecution shall be in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia by information signed by the Corporation Counsel.
(Apr. 27, 1937, 50 Stat. 120, ch. 144, § 4; Feb. 21, 1986, D.C. Law 6-83, § 4(c), 32 DCR 7276.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 6-304.
1973 Ed., § 6-204.
Legislative History of Laws
For legislative history of D.C. Law 6-83, see Historical and Statutory Notes following § 7-801.
