The COVID Project
The record
- Jurisdiction
- District of Columbia
- Level
- State
- Authority
- D.C. Home Rule Act sec. 412(a), D.C. Code sec. 1-204.12(a); Title I, Workplace Safety During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Issued
- 2021-02-26 Feb. 26, 2021
- Effective
- 2021-02-26
- End
- 90 days by its terms (to May 27, 2021); continued by D.C. Law 24-6 from May 13, 2021 (Ex. DUT-DC-014) (read as 2021-05-27)
- In force
- Feb. 26, 2021 to May 27, 2021
- Quarters
- 2021 Q12021 Q2
2020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3
- Limitation types
- Face-covering requirementWorkplace rulesStanding dutyOperating condition
- Addressees
- employers (every employer in the District)
- Character
- covid workplace rule
- Collection
- Standing duties: District of Columbia DUT-DC
Operative words
During the public health emergency, employers in the District shall adopt and implement social distancing and workplace protection policies to prevent transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace in accordance with the requirements of all applicable Mayor's Orders.
Penalty
Enforcement by the Attorney General through investigation, subpoena and civil action for penalties, lost wages, equitable relief and fees (sec. 105); private right of action in the Superior Court within one year for fees, lost wages and benefits and equitable relief (sec. 106)
What it required
Broadened the employer command from adherence to the mask order to 'the requirements of all applicable Mayor's Orders'; defined 'workplace health and safety practices related to COVID-19' as practices related to compliance with 'federal or District law or regulations or Mayor's Orders, a standard issued by OSHA, or a recommendation by the CDC or WHO'; prohibited retaliation for complying with, stopping a violation of or complaining about those practices, and prohibited employers from discouraging employees' use of personal protective equipment.
Retrieval noteRead from the Council's codified act page; the LIMS signed-act PDF (B24-0058) refused automated retrieval. The act's own recitals cite the predecessor D.C. Act 24-7 (effective Feb. 1, 2021).