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Washington, DC and Virginia: health record laws compared
Washington, DC and Virginia, side by side on the seven questions, with the laws read October 3, 2026. They give different answers on health data outside HIPAA, getting a copy and health information exchange, and the same answer on everything else.
Washington, DC is not a state. It makes its own laws on these questions, so we checked it the same way.
The seven questions, side by side
"Differs" marks a question where the answers are not the same; "same" marks one where they are. "Can't compare" means at least one answer was not checked; a not-checked answer is not a no. Where a question has a map, the small square shows the color each column has on it. Each citation opens that state's page, with the law quoted, dated and linked. There is no total and no rank: the questions are on different scales, and some have no best answer.
| Question | Washington, DC (not a state) | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Health data outside HIPAADo apps and wearables need your OK before sharing health data?differs | No law foundWe searched the official code and found none.How we searched | Opt-in, for some businessesYes, at least for some businesses. A law in force requires your OK before they use or share your health data (opt-in).Va. Code § 59.1-578(A)(5); Va. Code § 59.1-575 |
| Getting a copyDo you get a copy faster or free in some cases?differs | NeitherNo. A law is in force, but it adds nothing to HIPAA's terms.D.C. Code § 3-1210.11; D.C. Code § 3-1210.11(b)(1) | Free copy in some casesIn one way: a free copy in at least one case.Va. Code § 8.01-413(B7); Va. Code § 32.1-127.1:03(E) |
| Health information exchangeCan you say no to sharing through a health information exchange (a network that passes records between doctors)?differs | Opt-outOpt-out. Your records go through the exchange unless you say no, and there is a published way to say no.29 DCMR § 8710.12(c), as amended by DHCF final rulemaking, 73 DCR (Vol. 73, No. 18, May 1, 2026) | No general choiceNo general choice. Sharing through the exchange follows HIPAA's rules, and no state rule or exchange policy offers a general choice.Va. Code § 32.1-127.1:03(D)(37) |
| Are some sensitive records, like mental health or HIV, given extra rules? These answers record whether a rule exists and what it says. They say nothing about whether any care is legal or available. | ||
| Reproductive health recordssame | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.D.C. Code § 2-1461.01(a); D.C. Code § 13-449 | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.Va. Code § 59.1-200(A)(85) |
| Mental health recordssame | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.D.C. Code § 7-1201.02(a) | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.Va. Code § 32.1-127.1:03(D) |
| HIV recordssame | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.D.C. Code § 7-1605; D.C. Code § 31-1606 | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.Va. Code § 32.1-36.1(A) |
| Genetic recordssame | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.D.C. Code 2-1401.03(e) | Has a ruleYes. A law in force has a specific rule on keeping these records confidential or on who may see them.Va. Code § 59.1-599; Va. Code § 38.2-508.4(C) |
| Right to sueCan you sue if your records are misused?same | Narrow case onlyOnly in a narrow case, such as a data breach or one kind of record. The laws below say which.D.C. Code § 28-3853(b); D.C. Code § 28-3904(b)(14) | Narrow case onlyOnly in a narrow case, such as a data breach or one kind of record. The laws below say which.Va. Code § 59.1-204(A); Va. Code § 59.1-200(A)(85) |
| Breach noticeMust you be told if health data leaks in a breach?same | Medical and insurance dataYes. The breach notice law covers both medical information and health insurance information.D.C. Code § 28-3851(3)(A)(i)(III); D.C. Code § 28-3851(3)(A)(i)(V) | Medical and insurance dataYes. The breach notice law covers both medical information and health insurance information.Va. Code § 32.1-127.1:05; Va. Code § 18.2-186.6 |
| AI in careAre there rules for AI used in your care?same | No law foundWe searched the official code and found none.How we searched | No law foundWe searched the official code and found none.How we searched |
Not legal advice. This records what each law said on the date we read it. Laws and court orders change. State laws add to the federal floor. The United States score in the world index rates only federal law and national systems, so these state profiles do not change it.
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Health Record Rights Index by SuperTruth. Research tool, not legal advice. Our own words are CC BY 4.0; quoted law and source titles stay with their owners.