Sec. 1. 17-A MRSA §106, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1975, c. 499, §1, is amended to read:

1. A parent, foster parent, guardian or other similar person responsible for the long term general care and welfare of a person is justified in using a reasonable degree of force against such person when and to the extent that he that person reasonably believes it necessary to prevent or punish such person's misconduct. A person to whom such parent, foster parent, guardian or other responsible person has expressly delegated permission to so prevent or punish misconduct is similarly justified in using a reasonable degree of force. For the purposes of this section, "reasonable degree of force" does not include the use of a stick, a belt or any other hard or solid object if the use of the stick, belt or other hard or solid object causes a bruise on the dependent person.

SUMMARY

This bill specifically excludes the use of a stick, a belt or any other hard or solid object from the permissible and justifiable use of reasonable degree of force by a parent or other responsible person when disciplining a dependent person if the use of the stick, belt or other hard or solid object causes a bruise on the dependent person.