# D.C. Code § 38-251.01: Definitions > District of Columbia · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T38_C2_S38-251.01 ## Section - **Citation:** D.C. Code § 38-251.01 - **Heading:** Definitions - **Jurisdiction:** District of Columbia - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** DC Code / Title 38 / Chapter 2 / § 38-251.01 ## Text (a) For the purposes of this subchapter , the term: (1) "Health condition" means a physical or mental illness, injury, pre-birth complications, childbirth, postpartum recovery, or impairment that prevents a student from participating in the day-to-day activities typically expected during school attendance. (2) "Home or hospital instruction" means academic instruction and support provided to a student participating in a home and hospital instruction program. (3) "Home and hospital instruction program" means a program that provides instruction and support to students who have been or are anticipated to be absent, on a continuous, partial, or intermittent basis, from their school of enrollment for 10 or more consecutive or cumulative school days during a school year due to a health condition. (4) "Home and hospital instruction policy" means a public document written by an LEA that: (A) Sets forth the process for applying for home or hospital instruction and appealing a denial of eligibility; and (B) Includes the required contents of a medical certification of need. (5) "IDEA" means the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, approved April 13, 1970 (84 Stat. 175; 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq .), and its implementing regulations. (6) "IEP" means an Individualized Education Plan, which is a written plan that specifies special education programs and services to be provided to meet the unique educational needs of a child with a disability, as required under section 614(d) of IDEA (20 U.S.C. § 1414(d)). (7) "LEA" means local education agency, which is the District of Columbia Public School system or any individual or group of public charter schools operating under a single charter in the District. that specifies special education programs and services to be provided to meet the unique educational needs of a child with a disability, as required under section 614(d) of IDEA (20 U.S.C. § 1414(d)). (7) "LEA" means local education agency, which is the District of Columbia Public School system or any individual or group of public charter schools operating under a single charter in the District. (8) "Medical certification of need" means a written statement signed by a licensed physician, licensed nurse practitioner, licensed clinical psychologist, licensed mental health counselor or therapist, or physician's assistant that: (A) Certifies that a student has been diagnosed with a health condition and explains how the health condition has caused or is anticipated to cause the student to be absent, on a continuous, partial, or intermittent basis, from the student's school of enrollment for 10 or more consecutive or cumulative school days during a school year; (B) Contains a recommendation that the student receive home or hospital instruction, to the extent permitted by the student's health condition; (C) States the anticipated duration of the student's health condition; and (D) States whether the student's health condition is anticipated to cause continuous, partial, or intermittent absence from school. (9) "Medical recertification of need" means a medical certification of need verifying the continued need for home or hospital instruction. (10) "OSSE" means the Office of the State Superintendent of Education established by § 38-2601 . (11) "Parent" means a parent, guardian, or other person who has custody or control of a student enrolled in a school or in an LEA, a student who is 18 years or older, or an emancipated minor. (12) "Section 504" means section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, approved September 26, 1973 (87 Stat. 394; 29 U.S.C. § 794), and its implementing regulations. Education established by § 38-2601 . (11) "Parent" means a parent, guardian, or other person who has custody or control of a student enrolled in a school or in an LEA, a student who is 18 years or older, or an emancipated minor. (12) "Section 504" means section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, approved September 26, 1973 (87 Stat. 394; 29 U.S.C. § 794), and its implementing regulations. (13) "Section 504 Plan" means a written plan that specifies the accommodations and services provided to a student pursuant to Section 504. ## Nearby sections - [D.C. Code § 38-201 § 38-201. Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T38_C2_S38-201.md) - [D.C. Code § 38-202 § 38-202. Establishment of school attendance requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T38_C2_S38-202.md) - [D.C. Code § 38-203 § 38-203. Enforcement; penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T38_C2_S38-203.md) - [D.C. Code § 38-204 § 38-204. Census of minors.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T38_C2_S38-204.md) - [D.C. Code § 38-205 § 38-205. Report of enrollments and withdrawals.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T38_C2_S38-205.md) - [D.C. Code § 38-206 § 38-206. Penalty for failure to provide correct information.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T38_C2_S38-206.md) - [D.C. Code § 38-207 § 38-207. Authority of police over truant child.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T38_C2_S38-207.md) - [D.C. Code § 38-208 § 38-208. Truancy procedures; inter-agency coordination.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T38_C2_S38-208.md) - [D.C. Code § 38-209 § 38-209. Reporting requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T38_C2_S38-209.md) - [D.C. Code § 38-211 § 38-211. Department of School Attendance and Work Permits — Creation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T38_C2_S38-211.md) - [D.C. Code § 38-212 § 38-212. Department of School Attendance and Work Permits — Director; appointments.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T38_C2_S38-212.md) - [D.C. Code § 38-213 § 38-213. Court jurisdiction.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T38_C2_S38-213.md) - [D.C. Code § 38-221 § 38-221. Attendance zone boundaries; establishment, modification, alteration.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T38_C2_S38-221.md) - [D.C. Code § 38-231 § 38-231. Expulsion of students who bring weapons into public schools.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T38_C2_S38-231.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DC_T38_C2_S38-251.01. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.