§ 4–671.10. Confidentiality and privilege.

(a) The Office shall keep confidential:

(1) All information received pursuant to a complaint filed or a matter investigated, except as may be necessary to enable the Office to perform its duties and to support any resulting recommendations; and

(2) Identifying information of complainants and witnesses, unless:

(A) The complainant or witness waives confidentiality; or

(B) The information is compelled by a Council subpoena pursuant to a Council investigation for neglect of duty or misconduct by the Ombudsperson or the Office when the identifying information is necessary to the investigation.

(b) Upon receipt of information that is subject to confidentiality by law or a privilege, the Office shall maintain the confidentiality or privilege of such information and shall not disclose the information unless permitted by District or federal law and reasonably necessary to protect a CFSA child from imminent harm.

(c)(1) Whoever willfully discloses, receives, makes use of, or knowingly permits the use of confidential information concerning a CFSA child or individual in violation of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not more than $1,000.

(2) A violation of this subsection shall be prosecuted by the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia.