| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 6/21/2012 4:39:20 PM Dewitt T. Black--HSLDA Delaware -- Calls Needed to Stop Bill Outlawing Corporal Discipline |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== Delaware -- Calls Needed to Stop Bill Outlawing Corporal Discipline Dear HSLDA Members and Friends: A bill that would make it a crime for a parent to spank a child is quickly moving through the Delaware General Assembly. Your calls and emails are needed to stop this bill infringing upon the right of parents to administer reasonable corporal discipline--a right that has been recognized in America since its founding. Senate Bill 234, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Patricia M. Blevins (District 7), expands the definition of the term "physical injury" in the child abuse and neglect laws to include "pain." Currently the law permits a parent to use force to punish a child for misconduct, but it prohibits any act that is likely to cause or does cause physical injury. By redefining "physical injury" to include the infliction of pain on a child, spanking would become a crime in Delaware punishable by imprisonment. Under the proposed law, a parent causing "physical injury" (e.g., pain) to a child under age 18 would be guilty of a class A misdemeanor and subject to one year in prison. A parent causing pain to a child who is three years of age or younger would be guilty of a class G felony and subject to two years in prison. This terrible bill passed the Senate unanimously on June 19, 2012, by a vote of 21-0. It is now in the House Judiciary Committee, where it is scheduled to be heard on June 26. If this bill passes, Delaware would become the first state in the nation to outlaw corporal discipline of children by their parents. Members of the House Judiciary Committee need to hear from Delaware parents who wish to preserve the right to direct the upbringing of their children, including the right to administer reasonable corporal discipline. Action Requested: 1. Please call and/or email as many members of the House Judiciary Committee as possible with this message or something similar in your own words: "Please vote against Senate Bill 234, which would make it a crime for a parent to administer reasonable corporal discipline to a child, punishable by up to two years in prison. By expanding the definition of the term 'physical injury' to include any form of pain, even spanking a child for misconduct would subject a parent to prosecution for child abuse and a prison term." The members of the House Judiciary Committee are as follows: Rep. Melanie George Smith, Chairman (302) 744-4126 melanie.g.smith@state.de.us Rep. Rebecca Walker, Vice-Chairman (302) 744-4351 Rebecca.Walker@state.de.us Rep. William J. Carson (302) 744-4113 william.carson@state.de.us Rep. Deborah Hudson (302) 744-4171 Deborah.Hudson@state.de.us Rep. James Johnson (302) 744-4351 jj.johnson@state.de.us Rep. Clifford G. "Biff" Lee (302) 744-4171 biff.lee@state.de.us Rep. John L. Mitchell, Jr. (302) 744-4351 john.l.mitchell@state.de.us Rep. Dennis P. Williams (302) 744-4351 Dennis.Williams@state.de.us Rep. Lincoln D. Willis 302-744-4033 Lincoln.Willis@state.de.us Rep. David L. Wilson (302) 744-4150 David.L.Wilson@state.de.us 2. Please forward this email to every family you know who is not a member of HSLDA and urge them to contact members of the Committee. To view the text of this bill, please go to http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=14998 . Please call or email today! Sincerely, Dewitt T. Black, III HSLDA Senior Counsel ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> You can get a little latte or a lotta legal. With our new payment options, you can join HSLDA for as little as $10/month, less than the price of a cup of coffee a week. 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Thank you for your cooperation. ====================================================================== | |
