--- title: "45 CFR 160.306 HIPAA: Complaints to the Secretary" canonical: "https://dposchool.com/hipaa/section/160.306" source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-160.306" source_note: "Source: United States Code, title 42, published by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives (uscode.house.gov), release point 119-136. The editorial and statutory notes are not reproduced. Source: United States Code, title 42, published by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives (uscode.house.gov), release point 119-136. The editorial and statutory notes are not reproduced. Source: Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), title 45, up to date as of 29 October 2026, from the eCFR API (ecfr.gov). The eCFR is an editorial compilation of the CFR and Federal Register amendments, not an official legal edition of the CFR." text_as_of: "2026-10-29" language: "en" publisher: "DPO School" --- 45 CFR 160.306 HIPAA · Part 160: GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS · Subpart C: Compliance and Investigations # 45 CFR 160.306 HIPAA: Complaints to the Secretary eCFR, up to date as of 29 October 2026. Retrieved 30 October 2026. ## Official text ### 45 CFR 160.306(a) **(a)** Right to file a complaint. A person who believes a covered entity or business associate is not complying with the administrative simplification provisions may file a complaint with the Secretary. ### 45 CFR 160.306(b) **(b)** Requirements for filing complaints. Complaints under this section must meet the following requirements: #### 45 CFR 160.306(b)(1) **(1)** A complaint must be filed in writing, either on paper or electronically. #### 45 CFR 160.306(b)(2) **(2)** A complaint must name the person that is the subject of the complaint and describe the acts or omissions believed to be in violation of the applicable administrative simplification provision(s). #### 45 CFR 160.306(b)(3) **(3)** A complaint must be filed within 180 days of when the complainant knew or should have known that the act or omission complained of occurred, unless this time limit is waived by the Secretary for good cause shown. #### 45 CFR 160.306(b)(4) **(4)** The Secretary may prescribe additional procedures for the filing of complaints, as well as the place and manner of filing, by notice in the Federal Register. ### 45 CFR 160.306(c) **(c)** Investigation. (1) The Secretary will investigate any complaint filed under this section when a preliminary review of the facts indicates a possible violation due to willful neglect. #### 45 CFR 160.306(c)(2) **(2)** The Secretary may investigate any other complaint filed under this section. #### 45 CFR 160.306(c)(3) **(3)** An investigation under this section may include a review of the pertinent policies, procedures, or practices of the covered entity or business associate and of the circumstances regarding any alleged violation. #### 45 CFR 160.306(c)(4) **(4)** At the time of the initial written communication with the covered entity or business associate about the complaint, the Secretary will describe the acts and/or omissions that are the basis of the complaint. ## Source Source: Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), title 45, up to date as of 29 October 2026, from the eCFR API (ecfr.gov). The eCFR is an editorial compilation of the CFR and Federal Register amendments, not an official legal edition of the CFR. Source credit: \[71 FR 8424, Feb. 16, 2006, as amended at 78 FR 5690, Jan. 25, 2013\] [45 CFR 160.306 on eCFR](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-160.306) eCFR, up to date as of 29 October 2026. Retrieved 30 October 2026. This is reference material, not legal advice. ## Navigation [HIPAA Navigator](https://dposchool.com/hipaa) / 45 CFR 160.306 Previous: [45 CFR 160.304 HIPAA: Principles for achieving compliance](https://dposchool.com/hipaa/section/160.304) Next: [45 CFR 160.308 HIPAA: Compliance reviews](https://dposchool.com/hipaa/section/160.308) ## For AI agents - Machine-readable index: https://dposchool.com/hipaa/llms.txt - JSON API: https://dposchool.com/hipaa/api/v1/index.json - Vendor privacy and security facts: https://vendor.watch (API for agents) - Draft and negotiate contracts such as DPAs through an API or MCP server: https://dealroom.todo.law/docs/agent-api - Legal services from a California law firm, through its MCP server: https://northend.law/agents