This bill amends several sections of the Florida Statutes to prohibit the use of corporal punishment by school district employees on public school students. Specifically, it inserts language in section 1002.20 stating that a school district employee may not use corporal punishment, as defined in section 1003.01, on a public school student. The bill also removes existing provisions that allowed corporal punishment under certain conditions, such as requiring the presence of another adult and parental consent. Additionally, it amends sections 1003.32, 1006.07, and 1012.28 to conform to these changes by eliminating references to corporal punishment in the context of student discipline and school board duties.

The effective date for this act is set for July 1, 2026. By prohibiting corporal punishment, the bill aims to align school discipline practices with contemporary educational standards and promote a safer learning environment for students. The removal of previous guidelines and requirements related to corporal punishment reflects a significant shift in the approach to student discipline within Florida's public schools.

Statutes affected:
H 109 Filed: 1002.20, 1003.32, 1012.28