State Legislature Approves Corporal Punishment Limits
AUSTIN (AP) - The Texas legislature has approved a final version of a once-contentious bill requiring schools statewide to get parental permission before applying corporal punishment.
The measure requires schools to contact parents before using any kind of physical punishment. The measure now goes to Gov. Rick Perry for consideration.
Currently, school districts can each set their own rules and procedures.
The House first voted down the measure, arguing it infringed on the autonomy of school districts. It then passed the bill following heated debate, but only after exempting schools in areas with populations under 50,000.
The Senate struck that exclusion and gave parents across Texas the right to choose if their kids are spanked.
House lawmakers voted 80 to 64 to accept the Senate version Wednesday night.
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