42 CFR § 50.302 - Definitions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t42/s50.302"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "42 CFR § 50.302 - Definitions."
title_number: 42
title_name: "Public Health"
section_number: "50.302"
section_name: "Definitions."
chapter_name: "PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES"
subchapter_number: "D"
subchapter_name: "GRANTS"
part_number: "50"
part_name: "POLICIES OF GENERAL APPLICABILITY"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "Sec. 215, Public Health Service Act, 58 Stat. 690 (42 U.S.C. 216); Sec. 1006, Public Health Service Act, 84 Stat. 1507 (42 U.S.C. 300a-4), unless otherwise noted."
regulatory_source: "43 FR 52165, Nov. 8, 1978, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "50"
---


# 50.302 Definitions.

As used in this subpart: (a) *Law enforcement agency* means an agency, or any part thereof, charged under applicable law with enforcement of the general penal statutes of the United States, or of any State or local jurisdiction.

(b) *Medical procedures performed upon a victim of rape or incest* means any medical service, including an abortion, performed for the purpose of preventing or terminating a pregnancy arising out of an incident of rape or incest.

(c) *Physician* means a doctor of medicine or osteopathy legally authorized to practice medicine and surgery by the State in which he or she practices.

(d) *Public health service* means: (1) An agency of the United States or of a State or local government, that provides health or medical services; and

(2) A *rural health clinic,* as defined under section 1(d)(aa)(2) of Pub. L. 95-210, 91 Stat. 1485; except that any agency or facility whose principal function is the performance of abortions is specifically excluded from this definition.