SB59

Senate Bill 59 amends Arkansas law regarding the use of justifiable physical force by school employees. The bill defines a 'school employee' to include both classified and licensed staff members working under a written contract. It explicitly adds these school employees to the list of individuals—alongside parents, guardians, and other caregivers—who may use reasonable and appropriate physical force on a minor or incompetent person under their supervision. Such force must be for the purpose of maintaining discipline or promoting the welfare of the individual. The legislation aims to clarify the legal authority of school personnel to intervene physically when necessary for disciplinary or safety reasons.