SECTIONS 49000-49001 - California Statutes

EDUCATION CODE

SECTION 49000-49001

49000. The Legislature finds and declares that the protection
against corporal punishment, which extends to other citizens in other
walks of life, should include children while they are under the
control of the public schools. Children of school age are at the most
vulnerable and impressionable period of their lives and it is wholly
reasonable that the safeguards to the integrity and sanctity of
their bodies should be, at this tender age, at least equal to that
afforded to other citizens.

49001. (a) For the purposes of this section "corporal punishment"
means the willful infliction of, or willfully causing the infliction
of, physical pain on a pupil. An amount of force that is reasonable
and necessary for a person employed by or engaged in a public school
to quell a disturbance threatening physical injury to persons or
damage to property, for purposes of self-defense, or to obtain
possession of weapons or other dangerous objects within the control
of the pupil, is not and shall not be construed to be corporal
punishment within the meaning and intent of this section. Physical
pain or discomfort caused by athletic competition or other such
recreational activity, voluntarily engaged in by the pupil, is not
and shall not be construed to be corporal punishment within the
meaning and intent of this section.
(b) No person employed by or engaged in a public school shall
inflict, or cause to be inflicted corporal punishment upon a pupil.
Every resolution, bylaw, rule, ordinance, or other act or authority
permitting or authorizing the infliction of corporal punishment upon
a pupil attending a public school is void and unenforceable.