Is Corporal Punishment Legal in Rhode Island

Hitting, paddling, or hitting someone as a means of discipline is called «corporal punishment,» which was once the primary form of punishment in American schools. But behavioral research on the effects of corporal punishment on children and the emergence of other disciplinary strategies have made them much rarer. A number of states completely banned corporal punishment in public schools, most did so in the 1980s and 1990s. (i) inflicts or causes physical or mental harm to the child, including excessive corporal punishment; or (d) For the purposes of this article, «other bodily harm» means any injury that is not a serious injury and is not caused by the imposition of non-excessive corporal punishment. One. For the purposes of this Regulation and Regulation, the following terms shall have the following meanings: 6. «Corporal punishment» means inflicting physical pain as punishment for disapproving behavior. One. Corporal punishment as defined cannot be used in public education programs. (b) Where a person caring for a child as defined in subsection 40-11-2(2), voluntarily or by virtue of a legal obligation, including all cases where a child has been knowingly or intentionally placed for care or treatment by the child`s parents, the caregiver or a licensed or governmental child placement agency: Rhode Island law permits a child`s parents to: to impose appropriate punishment on their child in order to control, train and educate him. This includes the use of reasonable force. «Appropriate abuse» takes into account the gender, age, height and mental state of the child. For example, a sentence imposed by law on a 10-year-old child may be unlawful if it is imposed on a 4-year-old.

Of course, what is reasonable in the given circumstances is usually decided by a jury after hearing all the facts of a particular case. Under the law, this is called the «privilege of parental discipline.» In other words, while the parent may commit an otherwise criminal act (i.e., bodily harm), as long as they act reasonably, their shares are privileged, not criminal. This weekend, Adrian Peterson`s child abuse scandal shocked the sports world. This was accompanied by a discussion of race and culture in the context of the discipline of his own children. However, the law is not written to distinguish between races. The law distinguishes between good and evil. So what is legal parenting discipline under Rhode Island law? State laws dealing with corporal punishment in public schools prohibit corporal punishment, explicitly authorize it, or allow state districts to develop their own policies. But regardless of state law, teachers and administrators are not allowed to inflict unusually hard pain or intense concern on the child, which would be considered child abuse. Note: State laws are not set in stone and can change at any time through higher court decisions, promulgation of newly signed laws, and other means.

While we strive to ensure the accuracy of these pages, you may also contact an education attorney in Rhode Island or do your own legal research to review the state laws you are seeking. As for the Adrian Peterson case, it is very likely that the running back All-Pro will be convicted of child abuse. It`s hard to imagine a jury finding that he beat his 4-year-old son with a branch with adequate strength. Moreover, the fact that Peterson allegedly took blood from the boy`s body contradicts any defence that his actions were reasonable. If this case were to be tried under Rhode Island law, it appears that the NFL star would be convicted of second-degree pedophilia for inflicting «physical harm» on a child «other than by not imposing excessive corporal punishment.» RIGL § 11-9-5.3. This charge carries a prison sentence of 5 to 10 years and fines of up to $5,000. Corporal punishment is not permitted in many states, although it has been the main form of punishment in virtually all states at the same time. Some schools still allow paddling and spanking, but most states have ended the practice. However, in the absence of corporal punishment, teachers and administrators used the following methods to discipline students: Rhode Island does not permit the use of corporal punishment in public schools, although most states recognize the need to use extra force when confronted by an enemy student to defend themselves or other students. (iv) fails to provide the child with adequate food, clothing, shelter or medical care when the child is financially capable of doing so or offers reasonable financial or other means to do so; or (4) «Ministry» means the Ministry of Children, Youth and Families. (g) Any person who has already been convicted of first- or second-degree child abuse under this section and who subsequently commits first-degree child abuse shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding forty (40) years and not less than twenty (20) years and to a fine not exceeding twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) and shall be subject to paragraph (f) of this section, as the case may be. Any person already convicted of first or second degree child abuse under this section and subsequently committing abuse of a child in the second degree shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twenty (20) years and not less than ten (10) years and a fine not exceeding ten thousand ($10,000).

(vii) sexually exploits the child by allowing, permitting or encouraging the child to engage in accordance with the provisions of articles 11-34.1-1 et seq. prostitution under the title of «commercial sexual activity»; or (viii) sexually exploits the child by allowing, permitting, encouraging or engaging in obscene or pornographic photographs, filming or depictions of the child in an environment that suggests to the average person as a whole that the child is about to or engages in a sexual act, or that constitutes such a child under the age of eighteen (18); practicing sodomy, oral copulation, sexual intercourse, masturbation or bestiality; or (2) «Child» means a person under the age of eighteen (18). (2) causes a loss or persistent impairment of the function of body parts, limbs or organs, including bone fractures; (11) `probable cause` means the facts and circumstances based on the most accurate and reliable information possible which would justify a reasonable suspicion that a child is being abused or neglected. Facts and circumstances may include evidence of harm or injury and testimony from a credible person, even if there is no evidence of harm. § 40-11-2 Definitions. When used in this chapter, and unless otherwise specified in the specific context: (c) For the purposes of this section, «serious bodily harm» means bodily harm that: (e) Any person who commits first-degree abuse of a child is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twenty (20) years and not less than ten (10) years and a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000). Anyone convicted of second-degree child abuse will be imprisoned for up to ten (10) years and not less than five (5) years and will be fined up to five thousand dollars ($5,000). (7) «Law Enforcement Agency» means the police authority of a city and/or the state police.

Warning: These codes may not be the latest version. Rhode Island may have more up-to-date or accurate information. We make no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or suitability of the information contained on this website or the information linked to the government website. Please check the official sources. (1) `abused and/or neglected child` means a child whose physical or mental health or well-being is endangered or threatened with harm when his or her parents or another person responsible for the child`s well-being: (iii) commits or causes to be committed an act of sexual abuse against the child; or see the School Discipline section of FindLaw for related articles and resources, including the history of school discipline.