House Bill 2699, introduced by Rep. Gail Finney, D-Wichita, would have allowed parents to hit children hard enough to leave redness or bruising. It also would have allowed parents to give permission to others, including caregivers or teachers, to spank their children.
In a statement posted on her website, Finney said the legislation “is not, as has been incorrectly reported, intended to legalize child abuse in Kansas.”
“Parental corporal discipline in Kansas, along with 49 other states, has always been permitted,” Finney said in the statement. “Unfortunately, Kansas has never affirmatively, expressly defined corporal discipline in Kansas statute, leaving the interpretation of that matter to administrative officials in the executive branch, law enforcement personnel, and the judicial branch.”
She said the bill was intended to “provide guidance to officials.
You’d be happy to know the bill is not going to be taken up by the House.
