HB 493 Summary

• Prohibits the use of corporal punishment as a form of discipline in public schools, effective July 1, 2012

• Requires district school boards to adopt written programs of alternative discipline methods including parent conferences, revocation of student privileges, work detail, community service, Saturday school, and in-school restriction

• Deletes the definition of "corporal punishment" from Florida Statutes and removes authority for teachers and principals to administer corporal punishment

• Maintains teacher authority to use reasonable force for self-protection or to protect other students from injury, and to remove disruptive students from classrooms

• Updates code of student conduct requirements to exclude corporal punishment from discipline procedures while preserving other disciplinary options and enforcement mechanisms