HB 23-1191 Summary

• Prohibits employees and volunteers in public schools from imposing corporal punishment on children, defined as willful infliction of physical pain.

• Exempts reasonable and necessary force to quell disturbances threatening physical injury, for self-defense, to obtain weapons or dangerous objects, and physical pain from athletic competition or voluntary physical activities.

• Requires school district conduct and discipline codes to state compliance with the corporal punishment prohibition and prohibits codes conflicting with child abuse definitions.

• Extends the same corporal punishment prohibition to child care centers, family child care homes, and specialized group facilities through department rules.

• Applies to all persons employed by or volunteering in the specified public settings with children.