Laws and Regulations

Any institution that engages in federally funded research involving human subjects must have an Institutional Review Board (IRB). An IRB is an administrative body established to protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects recruited to participate in research activities conducted under the auspices of the institution with which it is affiliated. 

Schools must determine if they are Responsible Reporting Entities (RREs) under this new law. This will include any institution that self insures for any portion of its no fault medical payment coverage, and any institution that makes a payment higher than the reporting threshold on or after October 1, 2010 to a Medicare Beneficiary to satifsy a claim involving medical treatment. 

Organizations wishing to use marine mammals in research must apply for and receive a permit specifying the number and kind of animals to be used and the period of time for which the permit is requested.

Institutions receiving research money from the National Science Foundation (NSF) must maintain and enforce a written conflict of interest policy and take steps to prevent scientific misconduct. 

This circular sets forth the audit standards for colleges and universities.

Requires mandatory drug and alcohol testing for certain employees holding commercial driver's licenses who operate commercial motor vehicles. This includes pre-employment (for drugs only), post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return to duty and follow-up testing. 

The credit card companies require that all members, service providers and merchants who store, process, or transmit cardholder data remain compliant with the PCI Standard.

Establishes standards of conduct for competing contractors and government procurement officers. Requires signed certificates of procurement integrity. Prohibits bidders on government contracts from soliciting or receiving proprietary and source selection information from agency personnel. Criminal sanctions apply.

All employers must report all new hires to the state within 20 days of hire. The report is made through the DC Online Reporting system.

Facilities that transfer or receive certain biological agents must be registered. Biological agents include viruses, bacteria, rickettsiae, fungi, toxins, and recombinant organisms/molecules. Prior to transfer of any covered agent, a Center for Disease Control (CDC) Form EA-101 must be completed for each transfer. In addition, the transferor must verify that the requester's facility has a current registration, verify that the intended use of the agent is correctly indicated on CDC Form EA-101, and provide a copy of Form EA-101 to the registering agency.

Regulations on the use of lead-based paint in housing 

Section 503, contained at 29 U.S.C. § 793, requires government contractors with any contract in excess of $10,000 to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities.