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Expert tells commission Senate Bill 364 would protect students with disabilities from corporal punishment
Summary
An expert testified to the commission that Senate Bill 364 seeks to prohibit corporal punishment for students covered under IDEA after a survey identified dozens of schools and hundreds of incidents. Presenters emphasized training and clarified the bill targets IDEA‑eligible students, not 504 students.
Dr. Carolyn McAllister told commissioners that Senate Bill 364 focuses on students who qualify for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and described state and federal data that, she said, show continued corporal punishment of many children with disabilities. She described a 2021 review that found 63 schools reporting uses of corporal punishment and 455 incidents in one school year in the state’s survey responses.
"These examples underscore the urgent need for standardized practices across our state," Dr. McAllister said, recounting incidents that included slapping, hair‑pulling and other physical interventions she characterized as inconsistent with best practices for children with significant cognitive or behavioral disabilities. She emphasized that IDEA eligibility is specific and that parental permission alone has not reliably protected some children from punishment.
Commissioners questioned definitions, scope and alternatives. One commissioner asked whether the bill would include choking and slapping; Dr. McAllister said the state statute’s definition of "corporal punishment" includes slapping and similar physical force. Others pressed for more details on training and on how changes would affect district practices and staff training resources. Dr. McAllister pointed to free state training resources (UCO, OU autism center) and urged attention to enforcement and reporting mechanisms.
The commission did not adopt a formal position but heard the request for advice and asked staff and members to continue engagement as the bill moves through committee stages.
