Council adopts anti-bullying bill

District of Columbia youth advocates rally against bullying. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

The D.C. City Council on Tuesday gave final approval of an anti-bullying bill that requires schools and other city agencies to curtail bullying based on someone’s sexual orientation, gender identity and a wide range of other categories, including race, religion and ethnicity.

The Youth Bullying and Prevention Act of 2012 was expected to be sent late this week to Mayor Vincent Gray, who has promised to sign it. Like all D.C. legislation, the bill must undergo a 30 legislative day review by Congress, which usually lasts between 60 and 90 calendar days. Capitol Hill observers expect the bill to clear the congressional review.

The bill requires the city’s public schools, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the D.C. public library system, and the University of the District of Columbia to develop comprehensive anti-bullying policies.

LGBT advocates were part of a broad community coalition that lobbied the Council to pass the bill. LGBT groups also called on the Council to strengthen some of its provisions, resulting in significant changes from the first version of the bill introduced in January 2011.

Similar to its first-reading vote on the bill last month, the Council on Tuesday approved the measure by unanimous voice vote.