Vermont Statutes Title 33 Sec. 3503
Terms Used In Vermont Statutes Title 33 Sec. 3503
- Child: means an individual under 13 years of age. See
- Child care facility: means any place or program operated as a business or service on a regular or continuous basis, whether for compensation or not, whose primary function is protection, care, and supervision of children under 16 years of age outside their homes for periods of fewer than 24 hours a day by a person other than a child's own parent, guardian, or relative, as defined by rules adopted by the Department for Children and Families, but not including a kindergarten approved by the State Board of Education. See
- corporal punishment: means the intentional infliction of physical pain upon the body of a child as a disciplinary measure. See
- Person: shall include any natural person, corporation, municipality, the State of Vermont or any department, agency, or subdivision of the State, and any partnership, unincorporated association, or other legal entity. See
§ 3503. Corporal punishment prohibited
(a) As used in this chapter, “corporal punishment” means the intentional infliction of physical pain upon the body of a child as a disciplinary measure.
(b) No person employed by or agent of a licensed or registered child care facility shall inflict or cause to be inflicted corporal punishment upon a child attending the facility. However, this section does not prohibit a person from using reasonable and necessary force:
(1) to quell a disturbance;
(2) to obtain possession of dangerous objects upon the person of or within the control of a child;
(3) for the purpose of self defense; or
(4) for the protection of persons or property. (Added 1983, No. 145 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 2007, No. 172 (Adj. Sess.), § 16; 2021, No. 20, § 320.)