TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A Senate Democrat on Monday filed a proposal that would ban corporal punishment in Florida’s public schools.
Sen. Annette Taddeo, D-Miami, filed the proposal (SB 1120) for consideration during the legislative session that starts March 5.
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State law currently allows corporal punishment, though it places restrictions on the practice.
For example, it says corporal punishment may only be administered under district school-board policies and within guidelines from school principals.
Taddeo’s proposed ban would define corporal punishment as “the use of physical force or physical contact to discipline a student or to enforce school rules.”
The proposal includes an exception for circumstances in which school staff members would be defending themselves or protecting students.