Houston Chronicle, Texas, 7 September 1986

Bill prohibits teacher from hitting students

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The California Assembly has given final passage to a bill that would prohibit spanking or other corporal punishment by public school teachers.

The measure was sent to Gov. George Deukmejian when the Assembly adopted Senate amendments to the legislation on a 42-33 vote - just one more vote than the majority needed in the 80-member house.

"Children don't learn when they're threatened, particularly when threatened by violent punishment," argued Assemblyman Sam Farr, D-Carmel, author of the measure.

Corporal punishment has been outlawed in state prisons, youth authorities and child care centers, but school boards are allowed to adopt rules permitting spanking of students if parents give prior written consent.