The publication is reproduced in full below:
INTRODUCTION OF THE ENDING CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN SCHOOLS ACT OF 2021
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HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS
of florida
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Ending Corporal Punishment in Schools Act of 2021. Corporal punishment is a form of physical discipline where adults deliberately inflict pain on children in order to punish them. In schools, it typically involves the spanking or paddling of children by school officials.
Corporal punishment is harmful to long term child development. These practices are associated with physical abuse and ineffective. We as leaders should encourage our schools to adopt effective discipline strategies that will be supportive in reducing corporal punishment.
Schools must be a safe place where students are protected from harm, so that our children are able to thrive, grow, and learn. To date, corporal punishment in school is banned in 128 countries around the world. Sadly, 19 U.S. states still allow corporal punishments in their schools. Over 160,000 children in these states are subjected to corporal punishment in schools each year. This is abhorrent and unacceptable.
To end this cruel practice, the Ending Corporal Punishment in Schools Act of 2021 would prohibit any educational institution from receiving federal funding that allows school personnel to inflict corporal punishment on students and creates a new grant program to encourage improvements in school climate by promoting positive behaviors.
Madam Speaker, our schools must be a safe space for American children to learn. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this critically important bill, and hope to see its swift passage in the near future.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 34
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