The final version of the HIPAA Privacy regulations were issued in December 2000, and went into effect on April 14, 2002. Normally, rules go into effect 60 days after publication in the Congressional Record. Due to a glitch, the rules did not go into effect until April 14th instead of in February of 2001. A two-year grace period was included; enforcement of the HIPAA Privacy Rules begins on April 14, 2003. Related Terms: Administrative Simplification; American Health Information Management Association.