Padilla, Murphy Introduce Bill to Protect Students from Physical Abuse, End Dangerous Corporal Punishment Practices in Schools

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) in re-introducing the Protecting Our Students in Schools Act, legislation that would ban corporal punishment for any school that receives federal funding, as well as establish a federal grant program to support states and school districts across the country improve school safety.

"Every student deserves a safe, supportive learning environment that fosters positive relationships and protects their physical and emotional well-being," said Senator Padilla. "The evidence is clear - corporal punishment is a cruel and outdated method that harms students, hinders academic achievement, and worsens behavior. This bill will make more of our schools safer spaces for students of all backgrounds."

"Families should be able to trust that when they send their kids to school, they will be in a safe learning environment free from physical abuse," said Senator Murphy. "The evidence is overwhelming: hitting kids does nothing to help kids. It's past time to get this archaic, counterproductive practice out of our schools for good."

"Schools have a responsibility to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for every student," said Senator Durbin. "We know that corporal punishment is counterproductive to learning and can harm a student's physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. It should be left out of the classroom entirely. By standing with Senator Chris Murphy and co-sponsoring this bill, we can ensure that no student falls victim to this outdated and cruel punishment."

"No child should ever face physical abuse, including at school," said Senator Kaine. "It's time to end the outdated and harmful practice of corporal punishment in every school across the country. Instead of relying on fear, our schools should provide safe, supportive learning environments that students need to thrive and be healthy."

Inflicting physical pain on a student's body as a form of discipline is used in schools throughout the country. However, research has decisively demonstrated corporal punishment is ineffective and does not improve student behavior. Instead, it leads to physical and emotional harm, poor academic performance, diminished self-esteem, and loss of trust. The Protecting Our Students in Schools Act enacts protections for students to ensure all public educational facilities maintain safe, non-violent environments.

The Protecting Our Students in Schools Act is endorsed by organizations including Access Ready Inc., All4Ed, American Psychological Association, Arkansans Against School Paddling, Autism Society of America, Boys Town, Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), Committee for Children, Council for Exceptional Children, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), Disability Belongs®, Disability Rights Oregon, EdTrust, Family Voices NJ, Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA), Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Lives in the Balance, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Association of Social Workers, National Down Syndrome Society, National Education Association (NEA), Public Advocacy for Kids (PAK), Secular Student Alliance, SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT), TDIforAccess, Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children (TED), Texas Parent to Parent, The Arc of the United States, The Center for Learner Equity, The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD), The Federal School Discipline and Climate Coalition (FedSDC), The Learning Disabilities Association of America, The National Center for Learning Disabilities, U.S. Alliance to End the Hitting of Children, and United Women in Faith.

Full text of the bill is available here.

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