Governor signs spanking bill

Thursday, June 10, 1999 | 9:15 a.m.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, introduced SB553 as an emergency measure three days before the end of the Legislative session.

Advocates have argued that parents need to know they will not be jailed for disciplining their children. But critics maintained a record is vital to identifying abusive parents.

Raggio said the bill "sends a message to parents that nobody's going to prosecute you for disciplining your child."

Nevada parents already have the right to spank their children, but supporters of the bill said it is needed because parents are afraid they will be arrested or sued if they do.

Critics focused on the provision that allows official records to be destroyed if the parent's action falls short of the state's legal description of "physical injury," which includes a sprain or dislocation, damage to cartilage, fractures, temporary disfigurement and internal injury.

Supporters said the law will keep responsible, caring parents out of trouble with the law if they simply exercise their current rights.

The legislation was one of 81 bills signed by Guinn on Wednesday, including one that creates a $16 million bond fund to help school districts with major construction needs.

AB597 would authorize the use of general obligation bonds by financially troubled school districts that have unsafe public school buildings because of a lack of money.

Rural school districts face critical school facility problems because of declining property tax bases.

Guinn also signed AB166, by Assemblyman Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, which lets people with concealed weapons permits carry their guns into courthouses and other public buildings.

Under the new law, managers of public buildings will post signs only if they prohibit concealed weapons. If guns aren't expressly prohibited, they'll be allowed.

The bill was criticized by several lawmakers who said it was inappropriate to expand gun rights in the aftermath of the Littleton, Colo., shooting.

The bonds would not be issued unless a three-part test was met by a district: The property tax rate in the county is at its limit; the assessed property valuation is declining; and a school facility is needed because of public safety concerns.