WSR 22-14-108
PROPOSED RULES
BELLEVUE COLLEGE
[Filed July 6, 2022, 10:34 a.m.]
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 22-10-075.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 132H-126 WAC, BC Policy 2050, student conduct code revision. Amending WAC 132H-126-100, 132H-126-400, 132H-126-410, and 132H-126-460.
Hearing Location(s): Wednesday, September 28, 20122 [2022], at 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. (PT), virtual meeting, Zoom https://bellevuecollege.zoom.us/j/83655078121?pwd=dXM1M3UySk5aY25qSTZDNmxJYitOdz09&from=addon#success.
Date of Intended Adoption: November 10, 2022.
Submit Written Comments to: Megan Kaptik, 3000 Landerholm Circle N.E., Bellevue, WA 98007, email megan.kaptik@bellevuecollege.edu, 425-564-2757.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Megan Kaptik, phone 425-564-2757, email megan.kaptik@bellevuecollege.edu.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: WAC 132H-126-100 amendment modified definitions of abuse later in life, domestic violence, economic and technological abuse, hazing; WAC 132H-126-400 amends order of precedence; WAC 132H-126-410 amended definitions of domestic violence, economic and technological abuse; and WAC 132H-126-460 removes cross-examination requirement.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: On August 10, 2021, a decision from a federal district vacated a portion of the 2020 amendments to the Title IX regulations related to cross-examination, 34 C.F.R. § 106.45 (b)(6)(i). This needs to be removed from the code.
On March 15, 2022, President Biden signed the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 (VAWA) into law. This changed the definition of domestic violence and added definitions for different aspects of domestic abuse. VAWA takes effect October 1, 2022. Third, on March 30, 2022, Governor Inslee signed Sam's Law (HB 1751) into law. This bill requires the college to update the definition of hazing and extend the prohibition to include off-campus hazing. The college must be compliant before the start of fall term.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapter 34.05 RCW; and RCW 28B.50.140(13).
Statute Being Implemented: P.L. 113-4, 20 U.S.C. § 1092(f); Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.; 34 C.F.R. § 106.45 (b)(6)(i).
Rule is necessary because of federal law and federal court decision, 34 C.F.R. § 106.45 (b)(6)(i).
Name of Proponent: Bellevue College, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation, and Enforcement: Megan Kaptik,3000 Landerholm Circle S.E., Mailstop U307B, Bellevue, WA 98007, 425-564-2757.
A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. Bellevue College is not one of the enumerated agencies required to conduct cost-benefit analyses under RCW 34.05.328(5).
This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:
Is exempt under RCW 19.85.061 because this rule making is being adopted solely to conform and/or comply with federal statute or regulations. Citation of the specific federal statute or regulation and description of the consequences to the state if the rule is not adopted: 34 C.F.R. § 106.45 (b)(6)(i) United States Department of Education Title IX regulations.
July 6, 2022
Loreen M. Keller
Associate Director of
Policies and Special Projects
OTS-3879.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 21-01-008, filed 12/2/20, effective 1/2/21)
WAC 132H-126-100Prohibited student conduct.
The college may impose disciplinary sanctions against a student who commits or attempts to commit, or aids, abets, incites, encourages, or assists another person to commit the following acts of misconduct:
(1) Abuse of others. Assault, physical abuse, verbal abuse, threat(s), intimidation, or other conduct that harms, threatens, or is reasonably perceived as threatening the health or safety of another person or another person's property unless otherwise protected by law.
(2) Abuse in later life.
(a) Neglect, abandonment, economic abuse, or willful harm of an adult aged 50 or older by an individual in an ongoing relationship of trust with the victim; or
(b) Domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking of an adult aged 50 or older by any individual; and
(c) Does not include self-neglect.
(3)Abuse of the student conduct process.
(a) Abuse of the student conduct process includes:
(i) Attempting to influence the impartiality or participation of any decision maker including a student conduct officer, conduct review officer, or presiding student conduct committee member;
(ii) Influencing or attempting to influence another person to commit an abuse of the student conduct process;
(iii) Harassment or intimidation of any participant in the student conduct process; or
(iv) Submitting or providing false or misleading information in bad faith or with a view to personal gain or intentional harm to another in the conduct process.
(b) This provision does not apply to reports made or information provided in good faith, even if the respondent is ultimately found not responsible in that conduct proceeding.
(((3)))(4)Academic dishonesty. Any act of academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, and fabrication. The decision to bring a student conduct proceeding under this code for academic dishonesty is at the sole discretion of the student conduct officer. Nothing in this code prohibits instructors and/or academic divisions or departments from imposing academic consequences, up to and including a failing grade in an academic course or dismissal from an academic program, in response to academic dishonesty. Policies and procedures governing the imposition of academic consequences for academic dishonesty can be found in the course syllabus and any applicable program handbook.
(a) Cheating. Any attempt to give or obtain unauthorized assistance relating to the completion of an academic assignment.
(b) Plagiarism. Taking and using as one's own, without proper attribution, the ideas, writings, or work of another person in completing an academic assignment. May also include the unauthorized submission for credit of academic work that has been submitted for credit in another course.
(c) Fabrication. Falsifying data, information, or citations in completing an academic assignment. Fabrication also includes providing false or deceptive information to an instructor concerning the completion of an assignment.
(d) Multiple submissions. Submitting the same work in separate courses without the express permission of the instructor(s).
(e) Deliberate damage. Taking deliberate action to destroy or damage another's academic work or college property in order to gain an advantage for oneself or another.
(((4)))(5)Acts of dishonesty. Acts of dishonesty include, but are not limited to:
(a) Forgery, alteration, submission of falsified documents, or misuse of any college document, record, or instrument of identification;
(b) Tampering with an election conducted by or for college students; or
(c) Furnishing false information, or failing to furnish correct information, in response to the reasonable request or requirement of a college official or employee.
(((5)))(6)Alcohol. Use, possession, manufacture, or distribution of alcoholic beverages or paraphernalia (except as expressly permitted by college policies, and federal, state, and local laws), or public intoxication on college premises or at college-sponsored events. Alcoholic beverages may not, in any circumstance, be used by, possessed by, or distributed to any person not of legal age.
(((6)))(7)Cyber misconduct. Cyberstalking, cyberbullying, or online harassment. Use of electronic communications including, but not limited to, electronic mail, text messaging, social media sites, or applications (apps), to harass, abuse, bully, or engage in other conduct that harms, threatens, or is reasonably perceived as threatening the health or safety of another person. Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to, unauthorized monitoring of another's electronic communications or computer activities directly or through spyware, sending threatening emails or texts, disrupting electronic communications with spam or by sending a computer virus, or sending false emails or texts to third parties using another's identity (spoofing).
(((7)))(8)Dating violence. Physical violence, bodily injury, assault, the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, sexual assault, or stalking committed by a person:
(a) Who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and
(b) Where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors:
(i) The length of the relationship;
(ii) The type of relationship; and
(iii) The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.
(((8)))(9)Discriminatory harassment.
(a) Unwelcome and offensive conduct, including verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct, not otherwise protected by law, that is directed at a person because of such person's protected status and that is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive so as to:
(i) Limit the ability of a student to participate in or benefit from the college's educational and/or social programs and/or student housing;
(ii) Alter the terms of an employee's employment; or
(iii) Create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for other campus community members.
(b) Protected status includes a person's race; color; creed/religion; national origin; presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability; use of a trained service animal; sex, including pregnancy; marital status; age; genetic information; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; honorably discharged veteran or military status; HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C status; or membership in any other group protected by federal, state, or local law.
(c) Discriminatory harassment may be physical, verbal, or nonverbal conduct and may include written, social media, and electronic communications not otherwise protected by law.
(((9)))(10)Disorderly conduct. Conduct that is disorderly, lewd, or indecent; disturbing the peace; or assisting or encouraging another person to disturb the peace.
(((10)))(11)Disruption or obstruction. Disruption or obstruction of any instruction, research, administration, disciplinary proceeding, or other college activity, including the obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular movement on college property or at a college activity, or any activity that is authorized to occur on college property, whether or not actually conducted or sponsored by the college.
(((11)))(12)Domestic violence.((Physical violence, bodily injury, assault, the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, sexual assault, or stalking committed by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the state of Washington, or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person's acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the state of Washington, RCW 26.50.010.
(12)))Use or attempted use of physical abuse or sexual abuse, or a pattern of any other coercive behavior committed, enabled, or solicited to gain or maintain power and control over a victim, including verbal, psychological, economic, or technological abuse that may or may not constitute criminal behavior, by a person:
(a) Who is a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, or a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the state of Washington;
(b) Who is cohabitating, or has cohabitated, with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner;
(c) Who shares a child in common with the victim; or
(d) Who commits acts against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person's acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the state of Washington, RCW 26.50.010.
(13) Economic abuse. In the context of domestic violence, dating violence, economic abuse includes behavior that is coercive, deceptive, or unreasonably controls or restrains a person's ability to acquire, use, or maintain economic resources to which they are entitled, including using coercion, fraud, or manipulation to:
(a) Restrict a person's access to money, assets, credit, or financial information;
(b) Unfairly use a person's personal economic resources, including money, assets, and credit, for one's own advantage; or
(c) Exert undue influence over a person's financial and economic behavior or decisions, including forcing default on joint or other financial obligations, exploiting powers of attorney, guardianship, or conservatorship, or failing or neglecting to act in the best interests of a person to whom one has a fiduciary duty.
(14)Ethical violation. The breach of any generally recognized and published code of ethics or standards of professional practice that governs the conduct of a particular profession for which the student is taking a course or is pursuing as an educational goal or major.
(((13)))(15)Failure to comply with directive. Failure to comply with the reasonable direction of a college official or employee who is acting in the legitimate performance of their duties, including failure to properly identify oneself to such a person when requested to do so.
(((14)))(16)Harassment or bullying. Conduct unrelated to a protected class that is unwelcome and sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive such that it could reasonably be expected to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment, or has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a person's academic or work performance, or a person's ability to participate in or benefit from the college's programs, services, opportunities, or activities.
(a) Harassing conduct may include, but is not limited to, physical, verbal, or nonverbal conduct, including written, social media and electronic communications unless otherwise protected by law.
(b) For purposes of this code, "bullying" is defined as repeated or aggressive unwanted behavior not otherwise protected by law when a reasonable person would feel humiliated, harmed, or intimidated.
(c) For purposes of this code, "intimidation" is an implied threat. Intimidation exists when a reasonable person would feel threatened or coerced even though an explicit threat or display of physical force has not been made. Intimidation is evaluated based on the intensity, frequency, or duration of the comments or actions.
(((15)))(17)Hazing. Hazing includes, but is not limited to, any ((initiation into a student organization or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious mental or emotional harm to any student.
(16)))act committed as part of a person's recruitment, initiation, pledging, admission into, or affiliation with a student organization, athletic team, or living group, or any pastime or amusement engaged in with respect to such an organization, athletic team, or living group that causes, or is likely to cause, bodily danger or physical harm, or serious psychological or emotional harm, to any student or other person attending a public or private institution of higher education or other postsecondary educational institution in this state, including causing, directing, coercing, or forcing a person to consume any food, liquid, alcohol, drug, or other substance which subjects the person to risk of such harm, regardless of the person's willingness to participate. Hazing does not include customary athletic events or other similar contests or competitions. Hazing is prohibited both on and off campus.
(18)Indecent exposure. The intentional or knowing exposure of a person's genitals or other private body parts when done in a place or manner in which such exposure is likely to cause affront or alarm. Breastfeeding or expressing breast milk is not indecent exposure.
(((17)))(19)Marijuana or other drugs.
(a) Marijuana. The use, possession, growing, delivery, sale, or being visibly under the influence of marijuana or the psychoactive compounds found in marijuana and intended for human consumption, regardless of form, or the possession of marijuana paraphernalia on college premises or college-sponsored events. While state law permits the recreational use of marijuana, federal law prohibits such use on college premises or in connection with college activities.
(b) Drugs. The use, possession, production, delivery, sale, or being under the influence of any prescription drug or possession of drug paraphernalia, including anabolic steroids, androgens, or human growth hormones as defined in chapter 69.41 RCW, or any other controlled substance under chapter 69.50 RCW, except as prescribed for a student's use by a licensed practitioner.
(((18)))(20)Misuse of electronic resources. Theft or other misuse of computer time or other electronic information resources of the college. Such misuse includes, but is not limited to:
(a) Unauthorized opening of a file, message, or other item;
(b) Unauthorized duplication, transfer, or distribution of a computer program, file, message, or other item;
(c) Unauthorized use or distribution of someone else's password or other identification;
(d) Use of computer time or resources to interfere with someone else's work;
(e) Use of computer time or resources to send, display, or print an obscene or abusive message, text, or image;
(f) Use of computer time or resources to interfere with normal operation of the college's computing system or other electronic information resources;
(g) Use of computer time or resources in violation of applicable copyright or other law;
(h) Adding to or otherwise altering the infrastructure of the college's electronic information resources without authorization; or
(i) Failure to comply with the college's electronic use policy.
(((19)))(21)Property violation. Damage to, misappropriation of, unauthorized use or possession of, vandalism of, or other nonaccidental damaging or destruction of college property or the property of another person. Property, for purposes of this subsection, also includes computer passwords, access codes, identification cards, personal financial account numbers, other confidential personal information, intellectual property, and college trademarks.
(((20)))(22)Retaliation. Harming, threatening, intimidating, coercing, or taking adverse action of any kind against a person because such person reported a violation of this code or college policy, provided information about a reported violation, or participated as a witness or in any other capacity in a college investigation or disciplinary proceeding.
(((21)))(23)Safety violations. Safety violations include committing any reckless or unsafe act that endangers others, failing to follow established safety procedures (e.g., failing to evacuate during a fire alarm), or interfering with or otherwise compromising any college equipment relating to the safety and security of the campus community including, but not limited to, tampering with fire safety or first-aid equipment, or triggering false alarms or other emergency response systems.
(((22)))(24)Sexual exploitation. Taking nonconsensual or abusive sexual advantage of another for the respondent's own advantage or benefit, or to benefit or advantage anyone other than the one being exploited, when the behavior does not otherwise constitute one of the other sexual misconduct offenses described herein. Examples of sexual exploitation may include, but are not limited to:
(a) Invading another person's sexual privacy;
(b) Prostituting another person;
(c) Nonconsensual photography and digital or video recording of nudity or sexual activity, or nonconsensual audio recording of sexual activity;
(d) Unauthorized sharing or distribution of photographs or digital or video recording of nudity or sexual activity, or audio recording of sexual activity, unless otherwise protected by law;
(e) Engaging in voyeurism. A person commits voyeurism if they knowingly view, photograph, record, or film another person, without that person's knowledge and consent, while the person being viewed, photographed, recorded, or filmed is in a place where the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy;
(f) Knowingly or recklessly exposing another person to a significant risk of sexually transmitted disease or infection; or
(g) Causing the nonconsensual indecent exposure of another person, as defined by subsection (((13)))(18) of this section.
(((23)))(25)Sexual harassment. Unwelcome sexual- or gender-based conduct, including unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual- or gender-based nature that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive as to:
(a) Deny or limit the ability of a student to participate in or benefit from the college's educational program;
(b) Alter the terms or conditions of employment; or
(c) Create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for other campus community members.
For sexual harassment prohibited under Title IX, refer to WAC 132H-126-410.
(((24)))(26)Sexual violence. A type of sexual harassment that includes nonconsensual intercourse, nonconsensual sexual contact, and sexual coercion.
(a) Consent is knowing, voluntary, and clear permission by word or action to engage in mutually agreed upon sexual activity.
(i) Effective consent cannot result from force, or threat of physical force, coercion, dishonesty, or intimidation.
(ii) Physical force means someone is physically exerting control of another person through violence. Physical force includes, but is not limited to, hitting, kicking, and restraining.
(iii) Threatening someone to obtain consent for a sexual act is a violation of this policy. Threats exist where a reasonable person would have been compelled by the words or actions of another to give permission to sexual activity to which they otherwise would not have consented.
(iv) Each party has the responsibility to make certain that the other has consented before engaging in the activity. For consent to be valid, there must be at the time of the act of sexual intercourse or sexual contact actual words or conduct indicating freely given agreement to have sexual intercourse or sexual contact.
(v) A person cannot consent if they are unable to understand what is happening or are disoriented, helpless, asleep, or unconscious for any reason, including due to alcohol or other drugs. An individual who engages in sexual activity when the individual knows, or should know, that the other person is physically or mentally incapacitated has engaged in nonconsensual conduct. Intoxication is not a defense against allegations that an individual has engaged in nonconsensual sexual conduct.
(b) Nonconsensual sexual intercourse. Any sexual intercourse (anal, oral, or vaginal), however slight, with any object, by a person upon another person, that is without consent and/or by force. Sexual intercourse includes anal or vaginal penetration by a penis, tongue, finger, or object, or oral copulation by mouth to genital contact or genital to mouth contact.
(c) Nonconsensual sexual contact. Any intentional sexual touching, however slight, with any object, by a person upon another person that is without consent and/or by force. Sexual touching includes any bodily contact with the breasts, groin, mouth, or other bodily orifice of another individual, or any other bodily contact in a sexual manner.
(d) Sexual coercion. Unreasonably pressuring another for sexual contact. When a complainant makes it clear through words or actions that they do not want to engage in sexual contact, want to stop, or do not want to go past a certain point of sexual interaction, continued pressure beyond that point is presumptively unreasonable and coercive. Other examples of coercion may include using blackmail or extortion, or administering drugs and/or alcohol to overcome resistance or gain consent to sexual activity. Sexual contact that is the result of coercion is nonconsensual.
(e) Incest. Sexual intercourse or sexual contact with a person known to be related to them, either legitimately or illegitimately, as an ancestor, descendant, brother, or sister of either wholly or half related. Descendant includes stepchildren and adopted children under the age of ((eighteen))18.
(f) Statutory rape. Consensual sexual intercourse between someone who is ((eighteen))18 years of age or older and someone who is under the age of ((sixteen))16.
(((25)))(27)Stalking. Engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or the safety of others, or suffer substantial emotional distress. Stalking also includes instances where the perpetrator knows or reasonably should know that the person is frightened, intimidated, or harassed, even if the perpetrator lacks such an intent.
(((26)))(28) Technological abuse. An act or pattern of behavior that occurs within domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking and is intended to harm, threaten, intimidate, control, stalk, harass, impersonate, exploit, extort, or monitor, except as otherwise permitted by law, another person, that occurs using any form of technology including, but not limited to: Internet-enabled devices, online spaces and platforms, computers, mobile devices, cameras and imaging programs, apps, location tracking devices, or communication technologies, or any other emerging technologies.
(29)Tobacco, electronic cigarettes, and related products. The use of tobacco, electronic cigarettes, and related products is prohibited in any building owned, leased, or operated by the college or in any location where such use is prohibited, including ((twenty-five))25 feet from entrances, exits, windows that open, and ventilation intakes of any building owned, leased, or operated by the college. Related products include, but are not limited to, cigarettes, pipes, bidi, clove cigarettes, waterpipes, hookahs, chewing tobacco, and snuff.
(((27)))(30)Unauthorized access. Unauthorized possession, duplication, or other use of a key, keycard, or other restricted means of access to college property, or unauthorized entry onto or into college property. Providing keys to an unauthorized person or providing access to an unauthorized person is also prohibited.
(((28)))(31)Unauthorized recording. The following conduct is prohibited:
(a) Making audio, video, digital recordings, or photographic images of a person without that person's consent in a location where that person has a reasonable expectation of privacy (e.g., restroom or residence hall room).
(b) Storing, sharing, publishing, or otherwise distributing such recordings or images by any means.
(((29)))(32)Violation of other laws or policies. Violation of any federal, state, or local law, rule, or regulation or other college rules or policies, including on-campus housing policies and college traffic and parking rules.
(((30)))(33)Weapons.
(a) Possessing, holding, wearing, transporting, storing, or exhibiting any firearm, dagger, sword, knife or other cutting or stabbing instrument, club, explosive device, or any other weapon apparently capable of producing bodily harm is prohibited on the college campus, subject to the following exceptions:
(i) Commissioned law enforcement personnel; or
(ii) Legally authorized military personnel while in performance of their official duties.
(b) Students with legally issued concealed weapons permits may store their weapons in vehicles parked in accordance with RCW 9.41.050 on campus provided the vehicle is locked and the weapon is concealed from view.
(c) The president or delegate may authorize possession of a weapon on campus upon a showing that the weapon is reasonably related to a legitimate pedagogical purpose. Such permission shall be in writing and shall be subject to any terms or conditions incorporated therein.
(d) Possession and/or use of disabling chemical sprays for purposes of self-defense is not prohibited.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 21-01-008, filed 12/2/20, effective 1/2/21)
WAC 132H-126-400Order of precedence.
This supplemental procedure applies to allegations of sexual harassment subject to Title IX jurisdiction pursuant to regulations promulgated by the United States Department of Education. See 34 C.F.R. Part 106. To the extent these supplemental hearing procedures conflict with the college's standard disciplinary procedures, WAC 132H-126-100 through 132H-126-340, these supplemental procedures shall take precedence. Bellevue College may, at its discretion, contract with an administrative law judge or other person to act as presiding officer and assign such presiding officer to exercise any or all of the duties in lieu of the student conduct committee and committee chair.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 21-01-008, filed 12/2/20, effective 1/2/21)
WAC 132H-126-410Prohibited conduct under Title IX.
Pursuant to RCW 28B.50.140(13) and Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1681, the college may impose disciplinary sanctions against a student who commits, attempts to commit, or aids, abets, incites, encourages, or assists another person to commit, an act(s) of "sexual harassment."
For purposes of this supplemental procedure, "sexual harassment" encompasses the following conduct:
(1) Quid pro quo harassment. A college employee conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service of the college on an individual's participation in unwelcome sexual conduct.
(2) Hostile environment. Unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would find to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the college's educational programs or activities, or employment.
(3) Sexual assault. Sexual assault includes the following conduct:
(a) Nonconsensual sexual intercourse. Any actual or attempted sexual intercourse (anal, oral, or vaginal), however slight, with any object or body part, by a person upon another person, that is without consent and/or by force. Sexual intercourse includes anal or vaginal penetration by a penis, tongue, finger, or object, or oral copulation by mouth to genital contact or genital to mouth contact.
(b) Nonconsensual sexual contact. Any actual or attempted sexual touching, however slight, with any body part or object, by a person upon another person that is without consent and/or by force. Sexual touching includes any bodily contact with the breasts, groin, mouth, or other bodily orifice of another individual, or any other bodily contact in a sexual manner.
(c) Incest. Sexual intercourse or sexual contact with a person known to be related to them, either legitimately or illegitimately, as an ancestor, descendant, brother, or sister of either wholly or half related. Descendant includes stepchildren and adopted children under the age of ((eighteen))18.
(d) Statutory rape. Consensual sexual intercourse between someone who is ((eighteen))18 years of age or older and someone who is under the age of ((sixteen))16.
(4) Domestic violence.((Physical violence, bodily injury, assault, the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, sexual assault, or stalking committed by a person with whom the victim))Use or attempted use of physical abuse or sexual abuse, or a pattern of any other coercive behavior committed, enabled, or solicited to gain or maintain power and control over a victim, including verbal, psychological, economic, or technological abuse that may or may not constitute criminal behavior, by a person:
(a) Who is a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, or a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the state of Washington;
(b) Who is cohabitating, or has cohabitated, with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner;
(c) Who shares a child in common((, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the state of Washington, or by any other person))with the victim; or
(d) Who commits acts against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person's acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the state of Washington, RCW 26.50.010.
(5) Dating violence. Physical violence, bodily injury, assault, the infliction of fear of imminent physical harm, sexual assault, or stalking committed by a person:
(a) Who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and
(b) Where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors:
(i) The length of the relationship;
(ii) The type of relationship; and
(iii) The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.
(6) Economic abuse. In the context of domestic violence, dating violence, economic abuse includes behavior that is coercive, deceptive, or unreasonably controls or restrains a person's ability to acquire, use, or maintain economic resources to which they are entitled, including using coercion, fraud, or manipulation to:
(a) Restrict a person's access to money, assets, credit, or financial information;
(b) Unfairly use a person's personal economic resources, including money, assets, and credit, for one's own advantage; or
(c) Exert undue influence over a person's financial and economic behavior or decisions, including forcing default on joint or other financial obligations, exploiting powers of attorney, guardianship, or conservatorship, or failing or neglecting to act in the best interests of a person to whom one has a fiduciary duty.
(7) Technological abuse. An act or pattern of behavior that occurs within domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking and is intended to harm, threaten, intimidate, control, stalk, harass, impersonate, exploit, extort, or monitor, except as otherwise permitted by law, another person, that occurs using any form of technology including, but not limited to: Internet-enabled devices, online spaces and platforms, computers, mobile devices, cameras and imaging programs, apps, location tracking devices, or communication technologies, or any other emerging technologies.
(8)Stalking. Engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or the safety of others, or suffer substantial emotional distress.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 21-01-008, filed 12/2/20, effective 1/2/21)
WAC 132H-126-460Evidence.
The introduction and consideration of evidence during the hearing is subject to the following procedures and restrictions:
(1) Relevance: The committee chair shall review all questions for relevance and shall explain on the record their reasons for excluding any question based on lack of relevance.
(2) Relevance means that information elicited by the question makes facts in dispute more or less likely to be true.
(3) Questions or evidence about a complainant's sexual predisposition or prior sexual behavior are not relevant and must be excluded, unless such question or evidence:
(a) Is asked or offered to prove someone other than the respondent committed the reported misconduct; or
(b) Concerns specific incidents of prior sexual behavior between the complainant and the respondent, which are asked or offered on the issue of consent.
(4) ((Cross-examination required: If a party or witness does not submit to cross-examination during the live hearing, the committee must not rely on any statement by that party or witness in reaching a determination of responsibility.
(5))) No negative inference: The committee may not make an inference regarding responsibility solely on a witness's or party's absence from the hearing or refusal to answer questions.
(((6)))(5) Privileged evidence: The committee shall not consider legally privileged information unless the holder has effectively waived the privilege. Privileged information includes, but is not limited to, information protected by the following:
(a) Spousal/domestic partner privilege;
(b) Attorney-client and attorney work product privileges;
(c) Privileges applicable to members of the clergy and priests;
(d) Privileges applicable to medical providers, mental health therapists, and counselors;
(e) Privileges applicable to sexual assault and domestic violence advocates; and
(f) Other legal privileges identified in RCW 5.60.060.