California lawmakers have moved forward on a bill that imposes severe limitations on the methods used to spank one's child. AB 2943 has passed out of the state Assembly's Public Safety Committee and it now heads to the Appropriations Committee.
The legislation is a resurrected version of Democrat Sally Lieber's bill from last year, minus the outright spanking ban. The bill prohibits using "implements" such as wooden spoons, paddles, rolled-up newspapers, switches, belts, or brushes -- essentially, allowing only the hand. Randy Thomasson of Campaign for Children and Families warns that if the bill is approved, the penalty for their use is severe. "You're going to be arrested, handcuffed, taken to the police station, [and be] charged," he details. Thomasson says that once a parent is charged, then a jury will determine if it was reasonable for that parent to administer a spanking. Sarah Berke, a mother of five children, spoke to Public Safety Committee members during their hearing on the matter this week. She feels the bill does not take into consideration the values of Christian and other more traditional families -- who believe spanking with an implement helps teach and build good character. "These are good parents trying to raise their children to be good citizens," Berke argues. "[A]nd the bill would be another way to tie our hands." Thomasson agrees, saying parents who properly train their children without abuse should be rewarded and not punished. He calls the bill "very scary" and "very radical," and urges everyone to "rise up and oppose it."
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