---
kind: "section"
citation: "24 U.S.C. § 225a"
title: "24"
title_heading: "Hospitals and Asylums"
number: "225a"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/24/225a"
units:
  - "Chapter 4 — Saint Elizabeths Hospital"
  - "Subchapter III — Mental Health Service for District of Columbia"
---

# §225a. Definitions


For the purpose of this subchapter:

- (1) The term “Hospital” means the institution in the District of Columbia known as Saint Elizabeths Hospital operated on November 8, 1984, by the [Secretary](#2) of Health and Human Services.
- (2) The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
- (3) The term “Mayor” means the Mayor of the District of Columbia.
- (4) The term “District” means the District of Columbia.
- (5) The term “Federal court consent decree” means the consent decree in Dixon v. Heckler, Civil Action No. 74–285.
- (6) The term “service coordination period” means a period beginning on October 1, 1985, and terminating on October 1, 1987.
- (7) The term “financial transition period” means a period beginning on October 1, 1985, and terminating on October 1, 1991.
- (8) The term “system implementation plan” means the plan for a comprehensive mental health system for the District of Columbia to be developed pursuant to this subchapter.
- (9) The term “Council” means the Council of the District of Columbia.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–621, § 3, Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3371.)