Lawmakers give final approval to spanking bill

CARSON CITY - The Nevada Assembly gave final legislative approval Sunday to a measure that ensures parents can spank their children - and erases official records of such incidents if they're not deemed to be abuse.

The Assembly voted 24-17 for SB553, introduced as an emergency measure by Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, and approved in the Senate only one day earlier. The bill now goes to the governor.

Advocates argued that parents need to know they won't get locked up for disciplining their children. But critics maintained a record is vital to identifying abusive parents.

Raggio says the bill "sends a message to parents that nobody's going to prosecute you for disciplining your child."

Nevadans already have the right to spank their children, but supporters of the bill say it is needed because parents are afraid they will be arrested or sued if they do.

Critics included Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, who said "I don't think you can beat respect into children. The research shows that corporal punishment is really the least effective method."

"What is your evidence that parents are afraid to spank their children? In my line of work, I see too many parents that do beat their children," added Leslie, a former director of a non-profit child advocacy organization in Washoe County.

Critics also focused on the provision that allows official records to be destroyed if the parent's action falls short of the state's legal description of "physical injury," which includes a sprain or dislocation, damage to cartilage, fractures, temporary disfigurement and internal injury.

Supporters say it will keep responsible, caring parents out of trouble with the law if they simply exercise rights they already enjoy under the current law.

"If someone sees you paddle your child on the butt when you're trying to get them into the car or something, you can be reported for child abuse," said Assemblyman Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, who added that he was once falsely accused of beating his child.

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