School personnel have the legal ability to enforce rules and adequately supervise children. This legal duty must be exercised prudently and for what is reasonably necessary to protect the health, safety, and learning environment of other students. If your child has been improperly supervised, unreasonably disciplined or has been improperly restrained, learn your rights and put the law on your side. It is important to inform yourself of your child’s rights and obtain legal counsel before taking action.
California Compilation of School Discipline Laws and Regulations
EDN 49001
(a) For the purposes of this section “corporal punishment” means the willful infliction of, or willfully causing the infliction of, physical pain on a pupil. An amount of force that is reasonable and necessary for a person employed by or engaged in a public school to quell a disturbance threatening physical injury to persons or damage to property, for purposes of self-defense, or to obtain possession of weapons or other dangerous objects within the control of the pupil, is not and shall not be construed to be corporal punishment within the meaning and intent of this section. Physical pain or discomfort caused by athletic competition or other such recreational activity, voluntarily engaged in by the pupil, is not and shall not be construed to be corporal punishment within the meaning and intent of this section. (b) No person employed by or engaged in a public school shall inflict, or cause to be inflicted corporal punishment upon a pupil. Every resolution, bylaw, rule, ordinance, or other act or authority permitting or authorizing the infliction of corporal punishment upon a pupil attending a public school is void and unenforceable.
