Outline of the state of District of Columbia
State
District of Columbia
Addressed

Category
Bullying Policy—Definitions

Category
Bullying Policy—Definitions

State law defines prohibited behavior and may require districts to include bullying definitions in district anti-bullying policies.

Code of the District of Columbia 2-1535.03. Bullying prevention policy.

(2) (A) “Bullying” means any severe, pervasive, or persistent act or conduct, whether physical, electronic, or verbal that:

  • (i) May be based on a youth’s actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, intellectual ability, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, place of residence or business, or any other distinguishing characteristic, or on a youth’s association with a person, or group with any person, with one or more of the actual or perceived foregoing characteristics; and
  • (ii) Can be reasonably predicted to:
  • (I) Place the youth in reasonable fear of physical harm to his or her person or property;
  • (II) Cause a substantial detrimental effect on the youth’s physical or mental health;
  • (III) Substantially interfere with the youth’s academic performance or attendance; or
  • (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.
Policy Type
Statute

District of Columbia Municipal Regulations 1502 Adoption of a Bullying Prevention Policy

1502.1 Bullying means any severe, pervasive, or persistent act or conduct, whether physical, electronic, written or verbal that: (a) May be based on a youth's actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, intellectual ability, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, source of income, status as a victim of an intra-family offense, place of residence or business, or any other distinguishing characteristic, or on a youth's association with a person or group with any person, with one or more of the actual or perceived foregoing characteristics; and (b) Can reasonably be predicted to:

  • (1) Place the youth in reasonable fear of physical harm to his or her person or property;
  • (2) Cause a substantial detrimental effect on the youth's physical or mental health;
  • (3) Substantially interfere with the youth's academic performance or attendance; or
  • (4) Substantially interfere with the youth's ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a covered entity.
Policy Type
Regulation

District of Columbia Municipal Regulations 2599 Definitions

Bullying - repeated intentional behavior that occurs in order to intentionally harm others through verbal or non verbal Harassment, physical Assault, or other more subtle methods of coercion. Such behavior may include, but is not limited to, manipulation, teasing, taunting, threatening, hitting, stealing, destroying person al property, sending threatening/abusive emails, text messages, or other electronic communications.

Policy Type
Regulation