A parent would have to sign a consent form allowing school officials to use corporal punishment on their child under a bill approved by the Louisiana House. This is Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty’s third attempt in trying to pass such legislation.
“Punishment especially in this format which involves hitting which could be a male administrator hitting a female child could involve all sorts of different permutations. I think the parent has the right to know and to consent to that.”
According to the Louisiana School Board Association 19 parishes still allow paddling in schools. Hilferty’s bill heads to the Senate after it passed the lower chamber on a 74-21 vote.
New Iberia Representative Blake Miguez believes the legislation should allow parents to opt out of corporal punishment instead of opt in.
“That way we can keep the tradition of how discipline has been had and keeping our schools…I guess keeping that fear that that could be a consequence.”
Corporal punishment was widely used in public schools in the 19th and 20th centuries, but Amite Representative Robbie Carter says this method of discipline is outdated.
“I heard Representative Miguez say that corporal punishment is a tradition. So was rooster fighting but some traditions need to be done away with don’t you agree?”
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