SHERIDAN (WNE) —  A bill championed by Tongue River Middle School Principal Jeff Jones that would have effectively outlawed corporal discipline in Wyoming schools failed in the Wyoming Legislature Tuesday.

The bill, had it passed, would have repealed a statutory provision that provides civil and criminal immunity for teachers, principals and superintendents who exercise “reasonable corporal discipline of a student.”

As a result, school staff members who physically disciplined children could have been subject to criminal charges, such as battery, or civil lawsuits. 

The bill failed in the House with little debate, though Rep. Barry Crago (R-Buffalo) expressed concern that removing the civil and criminal immunity could put teachers at risk who find themselves having to break up physical altercations between students, primarily because “corporal discipline” is not defined in state statute.

“I’m not saying we need corporal punishment in schools,” Crago said. “I want to make sure our teachers are protected from doing everyday things they need to do.”

In researching the issue, Jones found while corporal punishment was legal in Wyoming public schools, individual school districts decided whether it was permitted.

Of the 48 school districts in the state, he said, most prohibit the practice and 90% of surveyed school administrators across the state said they either “disagreed” or “strongly disagreed” with the use of corporal punishment in schools.

Jones acknowledged in a statement to The Sheridan Press the lack of a clear definition for corporal discipline, saying he “was concerned from the beginning that we needed a bill with better language.”

“So while I am disappointed the bill failed, I think a better bill will come to the Legislature next session and I think the result will ultimately be even better,” he said Wednesday. “That is my hope.”