Sec. 37.0011. USE OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT. (a) In this section, "corporal punishment" means the deliberate infliction of physical pain by hitting, paddling, spanking, slapping, or any other physical force used as a means of discipline. The term does not include:
(1) physical pain caused by reasonable physical activities associated with athletic training, competition, or physical education; or
(2) the use of restraint as authorized under Section 37.0021.
(b) If the board of trustees of an independent school district adopts a policy under Section 37.001(a)(8) under which corporal punishment is permitted as a method of student discipline, a district educator may use corporal punishment to discipline a student unless the student's parent or guardian or other person having lawful control over the student has previously provided a written, signed statement prohibiting the use of corporal punishment as a method of student discipline.
(c) To prohibit the use of corporal punishment as a method of student discipline, each school year a student's parent or guardian or other person having lawful control over the student must provide a separate written, signed statement to the board of trustees of the school district in the manner established by the board.
(d) The student's parent or guardian or other person having lawful control over the student may revoke the statement provided to the board of trustees under Subsection (c) at any time during the school year by submitting a written, signed revocation to the board in the manner established by the board.
Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 691 (H.B. 359), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011.
Structure Texas Statutes
Chapter 37 - Discipline; Law and Order
Subchapter A. Alternative Settings for Behavior Management
Section 37.001. Student Code of Conduct
Section 37.0011. Use of Corporal Punishment
Section 37.0012. Designation of Campus Behavior Coordinator
Section 37.0013. Positive Behavior Program
Section 37.002. Removal by Teacher
Section 37.0021. Use of Confinement, Restraint, Seclusion, and Time-Out
Section 37.0022. Removal by School Bus Driver
Section 37.0023. Prohibited Aversive Techniques
Section 37.003. Placement Review Committee
Section 37.004. Placement of Students With Disabilities
Section 37.0051. Placement of Students Committing Sexual Assault Against Another Student
Section 37.0052. Placement or Expulsion of Students Who Have Engaged in Certain Bullying Behavior
Section 37.006. Removal for Certain Conduct
Section 37.0061. Funding for Alternative Education Services in Juvenile Residential Facilities
Section 37.007. Expulsion for Serious Offenses
Section 37.008. Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs
Section 37.0081. Expulsion and Placement of Certain Students in Alternative Settings
Section 37.009. Conference; Hearing; Review
Section 37.0091. Notice to Noncustodial Parent
Section 37.010. Court Involvement
Section 37.011. Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program
Section 37.012. Funding of Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Programs
Section 37.013. Coordination Between School Districts and Juvenile Boards
Section 37.014. Court-Related Children--Liaison Officers
Section 37.015. Reports to Local Law Enforcement; Liability
Section 37.016. Report of Drug Offenses; Liability
Section 37.017. Destruction of Certain Records
Section 37.018. Information for Educators
Section 37.0181. Professional Development Regarding Disciplinary Procedures
Section 37.019. Emergency Placement or Expulsion
Section 37.021. Opportunity to Complete Courses During In-School and Certain Other Placements
Section 37.022. Notice of Disciplinary Action
Section 37.023. Transition From Alternative Education Program to Regular Classroom