OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday approved legislation to prohibit teachers and other school personnel from using corporal punishment on students with disabilities.

Sen. Dave Rader, RTulsa, passed Senate Bill 364, which bars the deliberate infliction of physical pain by hitting, paddling, spanking, slapping or using any other kind of physical force as a means of disciplining a child with a disability.

Rader said educators will now be provided a clearer directive on this issue because current state law bans corporal punishment only for students with the “most significant cognitive disabilities” while a State Department of Education rule disallows school employees from using physical force to discipline students with disabilities.

“While many schools already prohibit corporal punishment, there are still instances where it is used against children who may struggle to control their behavior or grasp the consequences of their actions,” Rader said. “This legislation protects our most vulnerable students while also providing clarity for educators that physical discipline is off-limits, except in situations where their safety is at risk.”

Senate Bill 364 passed the Senate 31 to 16.

The bill now advances to the House, where it is coauthored by Speaker Pro Tem Anthony Moore, RClinton.