Relating to school employees who are determined to have been wrongfully accused of inflicting corporal punishment upon a student

This bill relates to school employees who are determined to have been wrongfully accused of inflicting corporal punishment upon a student. Under current law, an employee of a public school district, accredited nonpublic school, or area education agency is prohibited from inflicting corporal punishment upon a student. Current law provides exceptions to this prohibition, including an exception for physical contact with a student that is reasonable and necessary under the circumstances and is not designed or intended to cause pain. Current law authorizes any school employee determined to have been wrongfully accused of inflicting corporal punishment to be awarded reasonable monetary damages, in light of the circumstances involved, against the party bringing the action. The bill authorizes any school employee determined in a civil action to have been wrongfully accused of inflicting corporal punishment to also be awarded reasonable attorney fees.