Location
825 North Capitol Street, NE
Suite 5100, Hearing Rooms
Suite 4150, Administrative Offices
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 442-9091 (Information)
(202) 442-9094 (Docket Clerk)
Fax: (202) 442-4789
Email: oah.oah@dc.gov
Our Vision
A national model of high-quality administrative adjudication that provides a just system for both the public and the government agencies it serves, thereby helping to support a healthier, safer, and more vibrant community.
Our Mission
The Office of Adjudication and Hearings enhances the quality of life in our city by providing citizens with a fair, efficient, and effective system to manage and resolve administrative litigation arising under District of Columbia law. By developing innovative reforms for the District of Columbia's system of administrative justice, the Office fosters public confidence in that system and promotes higher levels of voluntary compliance that ensure greater health, safety, and well-being in our community.
Background
In 1999, the Department of Health was selected as the host agency for a mayoral pilot program in administrative adjudication reform. The Office of Adjudication and Hearings (OAH) was specifically designed and created to serve in that role. OAH exists as an autonomous and impartial administrative tribunal for hearing administrative litigation involving the District Government's environmental and health care enforcement programs, more than a dozen independent professional regulatory boards, and a variety of other agencies and entities. The authority for OAH's unique structure and jurisdiction comes from various Executive Orders, Departmental Orders, and Memoranda of Understanding. Since its inception, OAH has been recognized for innovative approaches to reforming the District's system of administrative adjudication in a manner that promotes quality, fairness, and accountability.
In early 2001, Mayor Williams and Council member Kathy Patterson introduced legislation to create a permanent independent Office of Administrative Hearings that would build upon the reforms piloted by OAH in areas such as case management, decision quality, information technology, and appointment reform. The final bill -- known as the Office of Administrative Hearings Establishment Act -- passed the Council unanimously and became effective as
DC Law 14-76 on March 6, 2002. The Act creates a comprehensive statutory structure that institutionalizes and expands OAH's administrative adjudication reforms.
The new agency will be anchored by the OAH pilot, and by law, will undertake adjudication responsibilities for at least 25 different agencies, boards, and commissions
by April 2004. Prior to assuming its full jurisdictional responsibilities, the new agency will place particular focus on initiatives targeted to policy, planning, recruitment, and infrastructure improvement. The new agency is scheduled to complete its jurisdictional phase in on October 1, 2004.
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