Section 392-190-0555. Discriminatory harassment.

(1) For purposes of administrative enforcement of this chapter under WAC 392-190-060 through 392-190-081, a school district or public charter school violates a student's rights regarding discriminatory harassment, including sexual harassment as defined under WAC 392-190-056, when the following conditions are met:

(a) The alleged conduct is based on a student's sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or use of a trained dog guide or service animal;

(b) The alleged conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it limits or denies a student's ability to participate in or benefit from the school district's or public charter school's course offerings, including any educational program or activity (i.e., creates a hostile environment); and

(c) The school district or public charter school, upon notice, fails to take prompt and appropriate action to investigate or fails to take prompt and effective steps reasonably calculated to end the harassment, eliminate the hostile environment, prevent its recurrence, and, as appropriate, remedy its effects.

(2) For purposes of administrative enforcement of this chapter under WAC 392-190-060 through 392-190-081, the office of superintendent of public instruction deems a school district or public charter school to have notice of discriminatory harassment if a reasonable employee knew, or in the exercise of reasonable care should have known, about the harassment.

(3) Nothing in this chapter is intended to diminish or otherwise modify an individual's right to bring an action under state or federal law alleging that the individual has been harmed by conduct or communication related to the individual's sex, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or use of a trained dog guide or service animal that creates a hostile or abusive educational or workplace environment.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.640.020 and 28A.642.020. WSR 14-23-072, § 392-190-0555, filed 11/18/14, effective 12/19/14.]

RCW 28A.640.020 and 28A.642.020. WSR 14-23-072, § 392-190-0555, filed 11/18/14, effective 12/19/14.

Rules

392-190-060,392-190-081,392-190-056,392-190-060,392-190-081,