District of Columbia

Law: 28-3852

The section that holds the state's general breach notification duty for businesses, as the source names it.

28-3852

Source: https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/28-3852. Read 2026-11-01. Checked by a second reader.

Days to tell residents: Not stated

The outer limit in days for telling affected residents, as stated. Blank where no number is stated. States start the clock differently, at discovery or at determining a breach happened, and the quote shows which.

No source we could use stated this. A blank never means no.

How fast, in the law's words: in the most expedient time possible and without unreasonable delay

The law's own words for how quickly residents must be told, apart from any day count.

the notification shall be made in the most expedient time possible and without unreasonable delay

Source: https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/28-3852. Read 2026-11-01. Checked by a second reader.

Attorney general told: Yes

Yes if the source says the state attorney general or its equivalent must be told of a breach in at least some cases. Florida's Department of Legal Affairs and Oregon's Attorney General count.

to the office of the attorney general for the district of columbia if the breach affects 50 or more district residents

Source: https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/28-3852. Read 2026-11-01. Checked by a second reader.

Residents before the AG is told: 50 residents

The number of affected residents at which the attorney general must be told, as stated. Blank where no number is stated. The quote shows whether it means that many or more than that many.

if the breach affects 50 or more district residents

Source: https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/28-3852. Read 2026-11-01. Checked by a second reader.

Days to tell the AG: Not stated

The deadline in days for telling the attorney general, as stated. Blank where no number is stated. Clocks differ: some run from the breach, and others from telling residents, as the quote shows.

No source we could use stated this. A blank never means no.

Encrypted data excepted: Yes

Yes if the text limits the duty to unencrypted data, or leaves encrypted data out. Stolen keys can undo this in several states.

acquisition of data that has been rendered secure, including through encryption or redaction

Source: https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/28-3851. Read 2026-11-01. Checked by a second reader.

Low-harm exception: Yes

Yes if the text lets a business skip notice after finding that harm or misuse is unlikely, or only counts breaches that create a real risk.

will likely not result in harm to the individual

Source: https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/28-3851. Read 2026-11-01. Checked by a second reader.