Code of the District of Columbia

§ 1–301.44c. Disclosure of information to the Council; District of Columbia Auditor; Ombudsperson for Children; conditions on disclosure.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no document or information that the following persons or entities have requested for the purpose of performing their official duties shall be withheld by a subordinate or independent agency, instrumentality, board, or commission, or by an official or employee thereof, based upon a statutory or regulatory provision restricting or prohibiting disclosure to the general public:

(1) The Council;

(2) A Council committee;

(3) A member of the Council acting in an official capacity;

(4) The District of Columbia Auditor;

(5) An employee of the Office of the District of Columbia Auditor; or

(6) The Ombudsperson for Children or an employee of the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children.

(b) Documents or information obtained under subsection (a) of this section shall remain subject to the underlying statutory restrictions and shall not be disclosed to the public or any third party unless permitted by that statute.

(c) Documents or information shall not be disclosed to the Council under subsection (a) of this section if:

(1) A District statute expressly prohibits disclosure of the information to the Council; or

(2) A federal law or regulation requires that the information be withheld from disclosure to the Council in such a manner that it leaves no discretion on the issue.

(d) Disclosure of documents or information under subsection (a) of this section shall not constitute a waiver of any privilege or exemption that otherwise could lawfully be asserted by the District of Columbia to prevent disclosure to the general public or in a judicial or administrative proceeding.