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Rules committee recommits Senate substitute for SB889 after concerns about corporal‑punishment language
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Summary
The Missouri House Rules Committee voted 9–2 to recommit a Senate substitute for Senate Bill 889 to its House committee of origin after members said language could effectively ban corporal punishment in public schools; the chair said the committee wanted the originating House committee to review intent and drafting.
The Missouri House Rules Committee voted 9–2 to recommit the Senate substitute for Senate Bill 889 to the House committee that originally considered the measure, after members said language in the substitute could, as written, eliminate statutory provisions allowing school boards to maintain written corporal‑punishment policies.
Chair (speaking at the committee’s opening) moved the recommitment and said she had discussed the language with members and outside counsel and was not convinced the Senate substitute reflected the original intent. "When I first became aware of some of that language, I questioned whether or not that was what it would do," the chair said, adding that the committee wanted the House committee of origin a fair chance to review the provision.
Representative Engel asked whether the provision had been added in the House committee or in the Senate; the chair and other members said they believed the language had been introduced in the Senate and voiced concern that some members who voted in committee may not have understood its effect. "I will not progress it past this committee, with the language in its current form," the chair said.
Representative (role: Vice chair Mayhew) and other members debated whether the change should be addressed on the floor where all votes are recorded or sent back to committee for clarification. Ultimately, the committee recorded a roll‑call vote of 9 yes, 2 no to recommit the Senate substitute for SB889 to the House Committee of Origin (government efficiency), where members said the language can be clarified or amended before any floor action.
Next steps: recommitment sends the Senate substitute back to the House committee identified by the chair. That committee can revise, amend or report the bill back to the Rules Committee for further consideration or to the floor for a vote.
Provenance: discussion and motion appear in committee remarks and the roll call starting at SEG 114 and concluding with the vote at SEG 209–211.
