Prohibit Corporal Punishment in Schools.
HB 983 prohibits corporal punishment in all North Carolina public schools, directly affecting students and school staff. The bill replaces existing permissive rules with a full ban, requiring schools to maintain detailed records of any past use (though none currently occur), report demographic data on disciplinary actions annually, and allow parents to opt their children out of corporal punishment. It clarifies that physical restraint under federal law or reasonable force isn't considered corporal punishment. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Apr 10, 2025
Last action Apr 14, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Filed
→
Edition 1
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was updated from its initial filing to its first edition with minor formatting and sponsorship information changes. The most significant substantive change involves removing a reference to G.S. 115C-390.4 regarding corporal punishment for students with disabilities, which may affect how the bill applies to special education populations.
Scope change
The bill's scope potentially narrowed by removing the specific requirement that corporal punishment for students with disabilities must comply with G.S. 115C-390.4, though the full context of this change is unclear from the provided diff.
TECHNICAL
Added co-sponsor Representative Morey and expanded sponsor information to direct readers to the General Assembly website for a complete list.
Updated bill reference number from DRH40298-NH-121 to H983-v-1.
Changed the reference date from April 10, 2025 to April 14, 2025 for when the bill was referred to House rules.
REQUIREMENT
Deleted language requiring that corporal punishment for students with disabilities be consistent with G.S. 115C-390.4, which could affect how the prohibition applies to special education students.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
3
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Apr 14, 2025
Committee
Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Introduced
Filed
lower
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 983
Scope: NC
Hi! I can help you understand HB 983. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline