*NOTE: This section was created by temporary legislation that will expire on February 4, 2022.*
(a) During a period for which a public health emergency has been declared pursuant to [§ 7-2304.01], the guardian of a ward shall inform at least one relative of the ward, if one exists, pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, as soon as practicable but no later than within 48 hours, of the following events:
(1) The ward dies;
(2) The ward is admitted to a medical facility;
(3) The ward is transferred to acute care;
(4) The ward is placed on a ventilator;
(5) The residence of the ward or the location where the ward lives has changed; or
(6) The ward is staying at a location other than the residence of the ward for a period that exceeds 7 consecutive days.
(b) In the case of the death of the ward, the guardian shall inform at least one relative of the ward, if one exists, pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, of any funeral arrangements and the location of the final resting place of the ward at least 72 hours before the funeral.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to exempt a guardian from complying with federal or District privacy laws to which they are otherwise subject.
(d) This section shall apply only to the relative of a ward:
(1) Against whom a protective order is not in effect to protect the ward;
(2) Who has not been found by a court or other state agency to have abused, neglected, or exploited the ward; and
(3) Who has elected in writing to receive a notice about the ward.
(e) For the purposes of this section, the term:
(1) "Relative" means a spouse, parent, sibling, child, or domestic partner of the ward.
(2) "Domestic partner" shall have the same meaning as in [§ 32-701(3)].
(June 24, 2021, D.C. Law 24-9, § 505(b), 68 DCR 004824.)
Emergency LegislationFor temporary (90 days) creation of this section, see § 505 of Coronavirus Support Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Act 24-96, June 7, 2021, 68 DCR 006025).
For temporary (90 days) creation of this section, see § 505 of Coronavirus Support Emergency Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Act 24-30, Mar. 17, 2021, 68 DCR 003101).
For temporary (90 days) creation of this section, see § 21-2047.03 of Coronavirus Support Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Act 23-328, June 8, 2020, 67 DCR 7598).
For temporary (90 days) creation of this section, see § 21-2047.03 of Coronavirus Support Emergency Amendment Act of 2020 (D.C. Act 23-326, May 27, 2020, 67 DCR 7045).
Temporary LegislationFor temporary (225 days) creation of this section, see § 505 of Coronavirus Support Temporary Amendment Act of 2021 (D.C. Law 24-9, June 24, 2021, 68 DCR 004824).