For the purposes of this chapter, the term:

(1) "Child abuse" means the:

(A) Infliction of physical or mental injury upon a child;

(B) Sexual abuse, as that term is defined in § 22-3020.51(4), or exploitation of a child; or

(C) Negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child.

(2) "Local education agency" or "LEA" means the District of Columbia Public Schools system or any individual or group of public charter schools operating under a single charter.

(3) "School" means a public, public charter, independent, private, or parochial school organized or authorized to operate under the laws of the District that offers instruction at any level or grade from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

(4) "Sexual misconduct" means any verbal, nonverbal, written or electronic communication, or any other act directed toward or with a student that is designed to establish a sexual relationship with a student, including:

(A) A sexual invitation;

(B) Dating or soliciting a date;

(C) Engaging in sexual dialogue;

(D) Making sexually suggestive comments;

(E) Describing prior sexual encounters; or

(F) Physical exposure of a sexual or erotic nature.

(5) "Staff" means an employee or volunteer of a school, or an employee of an entity with whom the school contracts, who acts as an agent of the school at the school or activities sponsored by a school.

(6) "Student sexual abuse" means sexual abuse, as that term is defined in § 22-3020.51(4), committed against a student of a school.

(Apr. 11, 2019, D.C. Law 22-294, § 101, 66 DCR 1707.)