§ 15.1-19-02 — Corporal punishment - Prohibition - Consistent policies

1. A school district employee may not inflict, cause to be inflicted, or threaten to inflict
corporal punishment on a student.
2. This section does not prohibit a school district employee from using the degree of
force necessary:
a. To quell a physical disturbance that threatens physical injury to an individual or
damage to property;
b. To quell a verbal disturbance;
c. For self-defense;
d. For the preservation of order; or
e. To obtain possession of a weapon or other dangerous object within the control of
a student.
3. For purposes of this section, corporal punishment means the willful infliction of
physical pain on a student; willfully causing the infliction of physical pain on a student;
or willfully allowing the infliction of physical pain on a student. Physical pain or
discomfort caused by athletic competition or other recreational activities voluntarily
engaged in by a student is not corporal punishment. A school board may not expand
through policy the definition of corporal punishment beyond that provided by this
subsection.
4. a. The board of each school district shall develop policies setting forth standards for
student behavior, procedures to be followed if the standards are not met, and
guidelines detailing how all incidents are to be investigated.
b. The board shall ensure that the policies, procedures, and guidelines applicable to
all elementary schools in the district are identical, that the policies, procedures,
and guidelines applicable to all middle schools in the district are identical, and
that the policies, procedures, and guidelines applicable to all high schools in the
district are identical.