Committee expands prohibition on corporal punishment to students with IEPs

The Senate Education Committee passed legislation expanding a 2019 prohibition on corporal punishment to protect students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) under federal law.

Laura Kellams of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families testified the 2019 law prohibited corporal punishment for children with certain severe disabilities and the new bill would extend protection to students who qualify for special education under any of the 13 federal categories (for example, hearing impairment, emotional disturbance, traumatic brain injury). "We believe that they should be protected from this form of punishment," Kellams said, citing research that corporal punishment is ineffective and causes long‑term harm.

Committee members raised questions about scope and parental roles. Senator Starch asked whether an IEP automatically exempts a child from all corporal punishment; Kellams said the bill would protect students with an IEP and emphasized that school practices are separate from parental discipline at home. Members discussed whether parents should retain an opt‑in or opt‑out role and the sponsor indicated willingness to talk further about parental input and implementation details.

The sponsor moved the amended bill and the committee passed it by voice vote.