1. (a) An emancipated minor, a minor who is married or previously has been married, an unaccompanied homeless minor, a minor who is or has been pregnant, or a minor who is separated from their parent or legal guardian for whatever reason and is not supported by their parent or guardian may consent to receive a vaccine recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("ACIP") or a competent medical or public health organization designated by the Director of the Department of Health ("Director") through a public notice, and where receipt of the vaccine is in accordance with the recommended immunization schedule of ACIP or the competent medical or public health organization designated by the Director.

2. (b)

   1. (1) A vaccine provider may accept the consent of a minor not otherwise listed in subsection (a) of this section to receive a vaccine recommended by ACIP or the competent medical or public health organization designated by the Director, in accordance with the recommended immunization schedule of ACIP or the competent medical or public health organization designated by the Director; provided, that the vaccine provider reasonably attempts to obtain consent from the minor's parent or legal guardian either in person, in writing, or by telephone, and there is no objection from the parent or legal guardian. Consent of the parent or legal guardian may be assumed if the vaccine provider cannot notify the parent or legal guardian after at least a reasonable attempt to notify has been made.
   2. (2) Nothing in this section prohibits a minor from seeking a court order to authorize receipt of a vaccine by the minor due to the parent's or legal guardian's objection.
   3. (3) This subsection does not require administration of a vaccine if receipt of the vaccine by the minor is medically contraindicated.
3. (c) For purposes of this section, the term "vaccine provider" means an entity or person authorized to administer the vaccine being sought.
4. (d) Nothing in this section shall be construed or applied to require or excuse noncompliance with any provision of any federal law.

Emergency Legislation

For temporary (90 days) creation of this section, see § 2 of Consent for Vaccinations of Minors Emergency Amendment Act of 2022 (D.C. Act 24-511, July 25, 2022, 69 DCR 009377).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 3 of Community Health Emergency Amendment Act of 2025 (D.C. Act 26-149, Sept. 22, 2025, 72 DCR 10314).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 3 of Community Health Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2025 (D.C. Act 26-219, Dec. 19, 2025, 73 DCR 28).

History

Mar. 10, 2023, D.C. Law 24-312, § 2

Mar. 24, 2026, D.C. Law 26-105, § 3

Temporary Legislation

For temporary (225 days) creation of this section, see § 2 of Consent for Vaccinations of Minors Temporary Amendment Act of 2022 (D.C. Law 24-189, Sept. 21, 2022, 69 DCR 009946).

For temporary (225 days) amendment of this section, see § 3 of Community Health Temporary Amendment Act of 2025 (D.C. Law 26-60, Dec. 11, 2025, 0 DCR 0).