Kansas Bill Would Allow Spanking That Leaves Marks

A Kansas lawmaker is proposing a bill that would allow teachers, caregivers, and parents to spank children hard enough to leave marks. Current Kansas law allows spanking that doesn't leave marks. Rep. Gail Finney, a Democrat from Wichita, says she wants to allow up to 10 strikes of the hand and that could leave redness and bruising. The bill also would allow parents to give permission to others to spank their children, but it would continue to ban hitting a child with fists, in the head or body, or with a belt or switch.

Finney says she wants to restore parental rights, and improve discipline. But Rep. John Rubin, chairman of the House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee, says he isn't sure the committee will even consider the bill. (More spanking stories.)