Source: https://development.code.dccouncil.us/dc/council/code/titles/2/chapters/15/subchapters/II-C/
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 08:34:44+00:00

Document:
D.C. Law Library - Subchapter II-C. Youth Bullying Prevention.
↪ Subchapter II-C. Youth Bullying Prevention.
Subchapter II-B. Commission on Juvenile Justice Reform.
Subchapter II-C. Youth Bullying Prevention.
§ 2–1535.02. Bullying prevention task force.
§ 2–1535.03. Bullying prevention policy.
§ 2–1535.04. Secondary investigation appeal.
§ 2–1535.06. Bullying prevention programs.
§ 2–1535.08. Availability of other remedies.
(D) University of the District of Columbia.
(IV) Substantially interfere with the youth’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by an agency, educational institution, or grantee.
(B) For the purposes of this paragraph, the terms “familial status,” “family responsibilities,” “gender identity or expression,” “genetic information,” “intrafamily offense,” “marital status,” “matriculation,” “personal appearance,” “political affiliation,” “sexual orientation,” and “source of income” shall have the same meaning as provided in § 2-1401.02.
(3) “Educational institution” means any local education agency that receives funds from the District of Columbia.
(4) “Electronic communication” means a communication transmitted by means of an electronic device, including a telephone, cellular phone, computer, tablet, pager, or video or audio recording.
(5) “Employee” means an individual who performs a function for the District government for an agency, educational institution, or grantee who receives compensation for the performance of that function.
(6) “Grantee” means an entity or a contractor of an entity that, on behalf of the District government or through District funding, provides services, activities, or privileges to youth.
(7) “Human Rights Act” means Unit A of Chapter 14 [§ 2-1401.01 et seq.].
(8) “Party” means a person accused of bullying, a target of bullying, or a parent or guardian of either a person accused of bullying or a target of bullying.
(B) Individuals as described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph considered as a group.
This section is referenced in § 2-1535.03 and § 4-754.21.
(a) Within 90 days of September 14, 2012, the Mayor shall establish a bullying prevention task force.
(2) In constituting this task force, the Mayor shall consider geographic and socioeconomic diversity as well as other forms of diversity.
(6) Promulgate guidelines to assist the Mayor in evaluating the effectiveness of the bullying prevention policies that have been established.
(d) The task force shall disband by August 2018; provided, that at the discretion of the Mayor, a one-year extension may be granted by the Mayor.
This section is referenced in § 2-1535.03.
The 2015 amendment by D.C. Law 21-36 added (c)(5A), (5B), and (5C) and made a related change; and substituted “by August 2018” for “2 years after its initial meeting” in (d).
For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 4132 of the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2015 (D.C. Act 21-127, July 27, 2015, 62 DCR 10201).
(4) Through electronic communication to the extent that it is directed at a youth and it substantially interferes with the youth’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by the agency, education institution, or grantee.
(9) A statement that prohibits retaliation against any person who reports bullying, including the possible consequences for a person who engages in retaliatory behavior.
(c) Within 365 days of September 14, 2012, each agency, educational institution, and grantee shall submit a copy of its adopted policy to the task force, pursuant to § 2-1535.02(c)(5).
(d) The requirements of this subchapter and any policy adopted pursuant to this subchapter shall be deemed to constitute health and safety requirements for educational institutions.
(e) Information on the bullying prevention policy shall be incorporated into new employee training.
(2) Publicizing that the policy applies to participation in functions sponsored by an agency, educational institution, or grantee.
This section is referenced in § 2-1535.02, § 2-1535.04, § 2-1535.05, and § 2-1535.06.
(a)(1) A party who is not satisfied with the outcome of the initial investigation conducted pursuant to § 2-1535.03(b)(7) may request a secondary investigation by submitting a written appeal to the higher-level authority in the agency, educational institution, or grantee designated to hear appeals within 30 days of the conclusion of the investigation conducted pursuant to § 2-1535.03(b)(7).
(C) The additional time does not exceed 15 days.
(b)(1) When an appeal for a secondary investigation is submitted, the agency, educational institution, or grantee shall inform the party about his or her ability to seek further redress under the Human Rights Act.
(2) This section shall not be construed to limit the right of a person to assert or seek redress for a claim arising under the Human Rights Act.
(a) An employee, volunteer, or youth shall not retaliate against a victim or witness of bullying or a person who reports bullying.
(b) An employee or volunteer who has witnessed bullying in violation of a bullying prevention policy that is consistent with § 2-1535.03(a), or has reliable information that a person has been subject to bullying in violation of a bullying prevention policy that is consistent with § 2-1535.03(a), shall report the incident or information to the person designated by the agency, educational institution, or grantee, in accordance with § 2-1535.03(b)(7), as responsible for investigating the reports.
(c) An employee, volunteer, or youth who promptly and in good faith reports an incident of, or information on, bullying in compliance with the policy of the agency, educational institution, or grantee shall be immune from a cause of action for damages arising from the making of such report.
(3) Provide training on bullying prevention to all employees and volunteers who have significant contact with youth.
This section is referenced in § 2-1535.02.
(a) Each educational institution shall provide to the Mayor, by a date determined by the Mayor, an annual report regarding the aggregate incidents of bullying, and any other information that the Mayor determines is necessary or appropriate.
(2) Report the findings to the Council by December 31 of each year that a report is due, along with an assessment of the current level and nature of bullying in agencies, educational institutions, and grantees and recommendations for appropriate actions to address identified problems.
This subchapter does not create a new private right of action or provide a statutory basis for a claim for damages against the District of Columbia or its employees.
The Mayor, pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of this title [§ 2-501 et seq.], may issue rules to implement the provisions of this subchapter.
For temporary addition of provisions concerning a juvenile drug screening and treatment diversion plan, see § 513 of the Omnibus Criminal Code Amendments Emergency Amendment Act of 2012 (D.C. Act 19-599, January 14, 2013, 60 DCR 1017).

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