Latest news with #SenateBill364
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Oklahoma law now bans corporal punishment for students with disabilities
Lori Wathen holds a paddle printed with the word "no" to oppose the practice of corporal punishment in schools before an interim study on the subject on Oct. 21. A ban on corporal punishment of students with disabilities has become law. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY — A new Oklahoma law will prohibit schools from inflicting physical pain as punishment for students with disabilities. Although the practice is already banned in the state's regulations for schools, attempts by the Oklahoma Legislature to add the rule to state law failed in previous years. State law had barred schools from using corporal punishment on students only with 'the most significant cognitive disabilities.' Senate Bill 364 extends the corporal punishment prohibition to students with any type of disability defined in a federal law known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Gov. Kevin Stitt on Thursday permitted SB 364 to take effect without his signature. The bill had passed the state Senate in a 31-16 vote and the House 63-25 after lengthy debates in both chambers. It outlaws the 'deliberate infliction of physical pain by hitting, paddling, spanking, slapping or any other physical force' as a method of discipline for students with disabilities. 'While many schools already prohibit corporal punishment, there are still instances where it is used against children who may struggle to control their behavior or grasp the consequences of their actions,' said Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, an author of SB 364. Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, has been an outspoken opponent of the measure. He said the bill was overbroad because it extends to students who have no type of cognitive disability. He said it also limits parents' choice to decide how schools should discipline their children. State law previously allowed parents to waive the corporal punishment ban by giving written consent. SB 364 removes that provision. More than 100 school districts in Oklahoma permit corporal punishment. The rate of students disciplined with this method has declined nationwide, and 27 states ban the practice entirely, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education. Students with disabilities were overrepresented among the children who experienced corporal punishment at school, as were Black and Indigenous students, federal data shows. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
House fights over corporal punishment of Oklahoma disabled children, sends ban to governor
Lori Wathen holds a paddle printed with the word "no" to oppose the practice of corporal punishment in schools before an interim study on the subject on Oct. 21. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY — House lawmakers on Wednesday fought over whether educators should be able to physically discipline disabled students before ultimately voting to send a bill prohibiting the practice to the governor. Senate Bill 364 prohibits school personnel from 'hitting, paddling, spanking, slapping' or using any other physical force on a student with a federally recognized and protected disability. Existing state law only prohibits schools from administering corporal punishments on students with the 'most significant cognitive disabilities.' 'It's really sad, the broad links people will go to to try to twist and turn words to continue to allow people to slap, choke, pull hair, cause bruises, push, shove, and anything else that they can do to a kid with special needs,' said Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, the bill's author . He said only a small percentage of Oklahoma districts — around 60 that he knows of — still allow corporal punishment. But Moore quickly ticked off a list of disabled children who have been choked or paddled by school personnel without parental permission. Moore said he was not going to publicly name the districts. Nothing in the measure prohibits parents from administering corporal punishment on their disabled children, but schools could not, he said. 'I don't think a kid with Down syndrome should be spanked,' Moore said. 'I don't think a kid with epilepsy should be beaten. I don't think a kid with autism should be choked.' Moore said he's a devout Christian, a deacon in his church, and administers corporal punishment on his own children. But he said it is appalling that people cite the Bible to justify choking a child with special needs. 'It makes me ashamed to be someone that might be categorized with that person,' he said House lawmakers have previously garnered national attention for refusing to put such a ban into state law. Administering corporal punishment on disabled children has been banned by the State Department of Education since 2020. Federal records show hundreds of Oklahoma children with disabilities were physically disciplined during the 2020-21 school year. Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, said the language of the bill passed Wednesday is nearly identical to the previous measure that failed to advance out of the same chamber about two years ago. Olsen said the prior one didn't advance because of concerns that the number of protected students was too broad and because it stripped away parental power and local control. Those concerns remain, he said. There are certainly children who should never have corporal punishment used on them, but Senate Bill 364's prohibition is too broad because in addition to protecting the profoundly disabled, it also includes students who suffer from hearing, speech and visibility impairments and serious emotional disturbances, Olsen said. 'If you had a 10-year-old boy that was physically healthy, intellectually normal, and he couldn't say his R's correctly, under the provisions of this bill, he would be prohibited, even if the parents wanted it, he would be prohibited from having corporal punishment used on him,' he said. 'No exceptions.' He said the Bible references that the 'rod and reproof gives wisdom, but a child left to himself brings his mother to shame.' 'I have observed over the years that when we get to thinking that we're smarter than the Bible that doesn't turn out very well,' he said. Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, said it's appalling that lawmakers are having to have a conversation about 'inflicting suffering on a child that has no idea what is happening.' She said multiple studies show that students with disabilities have corporal punishment applied at disproportionately higher rates than their non-disabled peers. Multiple child psychology organizations oppose 'beating a kid in school,' and most experts recommend non-violent methods to address inappropriate behavior in school, Roe said. Roe, who is also a child abuse examiner, said corporal punishment signals to a child that the way to settle conflict is by inflicting physical force and pain and that it's OK to 'just slug somebody in the face because you don't agree with what they're saying.' She said lawmakers talk about protecting their children from predators, but are not protecting vulnerable children from punishments they can't understand. 'They don't realize that the behavior they're exhibiting is not appropriate, and they're not understanding that getting their butt beat is because of the behavior they just exhibited,' Roe said. But Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, said lawmakers are stripping parents of the ability to permit the use of an effective discipline method that they know will 'get my child's attention.' The bill also does nothing to change the fact that children who aren't diagnosed with a disability can still be subjected to physical discipline in school, he said. West said lawmakers should be looking at school corporal punishment usage in totality, not just one part. The bill leaves the door open for a broad interpretation, and West said he fears that if a school district does allow corporal punishment, there's a 'very, very strong chance that a parent could sue, even if they had given permission.' The bill, which awaits a decision from Gov. Kevin Stitt, passed 61-23. 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Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A chance to protect and serve: New law allows eligible non-citizens to serve in law enforcement
Apr. 13—Local officials are excited about a recently signed bill allowing non-citizens in New Mexico to serve in law enforcement if they are authorized to work in the United States. On April 7, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into law Senate Bill 364, which allows people with work authorization from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to serve as sheriffs and police officers. Currently, only U.S. citizens can serve in those capacities, Albuquerque Police Department spokesperson Franchesca Perdue said in a news release. "The change will expand the pool of eligible law enforcement candidates and give more people opportunities to serve their communities as officers," Perdue said. Bill co-sponsor Sen. Cindy Nava, D-Bernalillo, said in a statement that SB364 is "more than a public safety bill." "It opens the doors for people like my brother Eric, a DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipient who dreamed of serving our community but was forced to leave New Mexico to do so," she said. "Now, others like him will finally have the chance to protect and serve the state they call home." Nava co-sponsored the bill with House Speaker Javier Martínez, D-Albuquerque, and Sens. Craig Brandt, R-Rio Rancho, Michael Padilla, D-Albuquerque, and Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces. The bill also addresses law enforcement retention in New Mexico, Nava co-wrote in a letter to the Journal. "With fewer recruits entering the profession and more officers retiring or leaving for other opportunities, law enforcement agencies have struggled to maintain adequate staffing levels," she said. "SB 364 opens the door for individuals who might otherwise have never considered a career in law enforcement — people who are already working, living and contributing to our communities but were previously excluded from this essential work."
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New state law expands who can become a NM law enforcement officer
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A new state law passed during this year's legislative session is expanding who can become law enforcement officers in New Mexico. It's the latest approach to fill law enforcement vacancies and offer a new opportunity to those without American citizenship. 'It literally turns dreamers into defenders,' said Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller. For years, only American citizens could become law enforcement officers in the state. Now, a new state law that will soon go into effect will change that. 'This bill will open the door to more than 51,000 more New Mexicans who would now be eligible to apply for law enforcement work,' said New Mexico State Senator Cindy Nava. 'Misuse of time': Governor slams New Mexico legislature for bills passed this session According to state documents, Senate Bill 364, sponsored by Nava, will allow people who are Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, or legal permanent residents, to now become a police officer, marshal, or sheriff anywhere in the state. A legal permanent resident is someone who is legally allowed to stay in the country permanently but does not have citizenship. Supporters of the bill say this will help address law enforcement vacancies across New Mexico, as they look to neighboring states, such as Texas and Arizona, to attract new members. 'Anyone in the country who cannot be a police officer in their home state can then come to New Mexico,' said Sen. Antonio Maestas. APD highlighted one of their officer's success stories, explaining her journey from being born in Mexico to becoming a sworn officer in Albuquerque. Officer Smith dreamt of working in uniform but had to temporarily serve in public service while working to get her citizenship. Paid family medical leave moves forward in the legislature Years later, Officer Smith fulfilled that dream, though a law like this would have made it easier and quicker. New Mexico joins California, Colorado, and Illinois as the only states in the country to do this. 'This legislation will enable us to not only grow the ranks of the Albuquerque Police Department, but grow the ranks in a way that is reflective [of] the community of Albuquerque,' said Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina. APD says this push will help to continue lower crime rates in the metro, as the department looks to further bolster its force. According to APD, homicides have decreased year-over-year by 48%. Violent crime is down 20%, and property crime is down 33%. 'We have in no way changed our standards,' said Mayor Keller. 'The standards are the exact same for anyone who wants to be a member of our Albuquerque Police Department with respect to qualifications.' Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the bill into law on April 7. It will go into effect 90 days from that date. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Governor signs off on 60 bills, including measures dealing with primary elections, psilocybin
Apr. 7—SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Monday signed into law bills making it easier for roughly 310,000 independent voters in New Mexico to cast ballots in primary elections and creating a state-run psilocybin program for medical patients. The measures were among 60 bills signed by Lujan Grisham in a flurry of bill action during her final week to act on legislation approved this year by lawmakers. Other signed bills included a measure, Senate Bill 364, allowing non-citizens to be hired as law enforcement officers in New Mexico if they are authorized to legally work in the United States. The governor, who traveled out of state last week to speak at Harvard University's Kennedy School, did not hold a news conference Monday to announce the bill signings. But that didn't stop supporters of the signed bills from celebrating their final approval. Backers of the bill creating semi-open primary elections in New Mexico said the change could boost voter turnout rates, starting in the 2026 election cycle. "This will ensure the voices of hundreds of thousands of folks across New Mexico will be heard in our primary elections, and Common Cause is honored to be a part of a movement expanding access to voting when we see so many states trying to restrict it," said Molly Swank, the executive director of Common Cause New Mexico. Under the current system, independent voters, or those who decline to align with a political party, must change their party affiliation in order to vote in primary elections. But critics describe that process as cumbersome for county clerks, and say few independent voters have utilized it. Independents currently make up about 23% of the state's more than 1.3 million registered voters. Meanwhile, the governor also signed legislation that will allow patients diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse disorders and several other conditions to legally use psilocybin, or magic mushrooms, under medical supervision. The approval of a state-run psilocybin program will make New Mexico the third state to authorize use of the drug in such circumstances, following in the steps of Oregon and Colorado. Several military veterans urged lawmakers to pass the bill during this year's session, citing their own experiences with psilocybin use. In all, the governor has signed 84 bills passed by legislators during the 60-day session that ended March 22. She has also vetoed two bills, a measure allowing local school boards to determine the number of annual school days and legislation dealing with probation and parole changes. A total of 111 bills are still awaiting action before Friday's deadline, including a $10.8 billion state spending plan for the budget year that starts in July and a tax package approved by lawmakers during the second-to-last day of the session. A high-profile bill requiring registered New Mexico lobbyists to disclose which bills they actively supported — and which bills they lobbied against — is also still awaiting the governor's signature. Any bills that are not signed before the deadline are automatically vetoed, under what's commonly referred to as a pocket veto.
