Sponsors (22)
Introduced May 8, 2025 by Suzanne Bonamici · Last progress May 8, 2025
The bill shifts schools away from corporal punishment toward funded, evidence-based behavioral supports and stronger enforcement — improving student safety and rights but imposing new administrative, compliance, and litigation burdens (and potential funding risks) on schools and districts.
Students in federally funded schools (including many public, Head Start, DoD and Interior-operated programs) will face less physical discipline because the bill bans corporal punishment and provides a clear, enforceable definition.
Students with disabilities gain stronger procedural protections and oversight because programs must notify and cooperate with Protection and Advocacy systems and special education-related safeguards are explicitly included.
Students and school communities should see fewer suspensions/expulsions and better in-school supports because the bill funds and mandates evidence-based alternatives (PBIS, restorative justice, trauma‑informed care) and narrows 'exclusionary discipline.'
Schools, local education agencies, and states will face substantial new administrative, training, reporting and compliance costs (data systems, 24-hour reporting, cooperative investigations), which may divert limited resources from other classroom needs.
Noncompliant programs risk temporary or permanent withholding of federal funds, which could disrupt services and educational access for students while programs cure violations.
Schools and programs face greater litigation exposure, potential damages payouts, and legal costs from private suits and enforcement actions, increasing financial risk for districts.
Based on analysis of 10 sections of legislative text.
Bans corporal punishment in federally funded schools/programs, requires positive-discipline practices and training, mandates reporting, and creates civil and federal enforcement tools.
Prohibits corporal punishment in any school or educational program that receives federal financial assistance and requires schools and states to adopt positive, evidence-based discipline practices instead. It requires training for program personnel, data collection and public reporting on exclusionary and aversive discipline, 24-hour parental notification when corporal punishment occurs, and creates civil enforcement tools including a private right of action and U.S. Department of Education and Department of Justice enforcement powers. The Act defines covered terms, protects certain legal rights, excludes private schools with no federal funding and homeschooling, directs negotiated rulemaking within 180 days, requires State reports on school climate (initially within one year), and authorizes funding starting FY2025 while directing DoD and Interior to ensure their schools comply.