Bill > S0662

This bill prohibits school district employees from using corporal punishment on public school students in Florida. The legislation amends several sections of Florida Statutes to remove existing provisions that previously allowed and regulated corporal punishment in schools, such as guidelines for administering physical discipline and requirements for parental consent. The bill eliminates language that described procedures for corporal punishment, including the need for principal approval, the presence of another adult during punishment, and the requirement to provide written explanations to parents. By removing these sections, the bill effectively bans school employees from using physical punishment as a disciplinary method across all public schools in the state. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, giving school districts time to adjust their disciplinary policies and practices. This legislative change represents a significant shift in school discipline approaches, prioritizing alternative methods of student behavior management that do not involve physical punishment.

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/662