A California Assemblywoman has dropped a ban on spanking from a controversial bill. Democrat Sally Lieber made national headlines with the proposal, but now the measure’s had a major make-over. From Sacramento, Marianne Russ reports.
The no-spanking bill was ridiculed by talk show hosts nationwide – even Saturday Night Live did a spoof. But Assemblywoman Lieber says that’s not what prompted the change. She says the votes just aren’t there to pass it.
Lieber: I’m very disappointed. I think it’s a moral failing in out state to have it enshrined in our law that we allow children to be punished to the point of injury.”
Though the bill doesn’t forbid spanking – it does ban the use of certain implements such as a belt, stick, or rod on children under 18. It also bans vigorous shaking of a child under three, and throwing, kicking or burning a child. Randy Thomasson with the Campaign for Children and Families says the bill still goes too far.
Thomasson: They’re calling my mother an abuser cause she used a stick. This bill is offense to many parents who know they have to show a child both soft love and tough love when necessary.
The bill also allows judges to require violators to take parenting courses. In Sacramento, I’m Marianne Russ.
