Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) has reintroduced the Protecting Our Students in Schools Act, alongside Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). The bill would ban corporal punishment for any school that receives federal funding, as well as establish a federal grant program to support states and school districts across the country to improve school safety.

“Families should be able to trust that when they send their kids to school, they will be in a safe learning environment free from physical abuse,” said Murphy. “The evidence is overwhelming: hitting kids does nothing to help kids. It’s past time to get this archaic, counterproductive practice out of our schools for good.” COPAA endorses the Protecting Our Students in Schools Act and views prohibition of corporal punishment in schools and providing resources to train educators in evidence-based practices as necessary to the safety of all students.