Olsen explains ‘No’ vote on HB 1028

Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, released the following statement in response to national media attention following his March 14 debate against House Bill 1028, which would prohibit the use of corporal punishment against students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).

“My issue with the bill in question is that corporal punishment of students is already extremely limited within the state. Current statute says that it only occurs in school districts that allow corporal punishment and only with written permission from parents or guardians.

“One of the points I brought up in my debate against the bill is that the Bible states in Proverbs 13:24 that a parent who loves their child is willing to discipline them in this manner when necessary,” he said.

“Additionally, as an elected official, I have a duty to represent my constituents at the State Capitol. I heard from one of my constituents who has a daughter with Asperger’s Syndrome and, while she is incredibly intelligent, she sometimes has behavioral issues. He informed me that corporal punishment is sometimes necessary to teach her right from wrong, and he wanted his child’s teachers and administrators to be permitted to handle any issues in that way if it comes to that.

“I believe parents maintain the right to direct the discipline of their children, even when someone may disagree with it. If they’ve authorized a teacher or administrator to administer corporal punishment, then they should have the right to if the parent believes that is what’s best for their child. This legislation would have done away with that liberty for parents to judge their own situation.”

House Bill 1028 failed 45-43 Tuesday. The bill, which could be brought up Monday, would have needed a majority vote of Oklahoma’s 101 representatives.