Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 37G (2026)

Corporal punishment of pupils prohibited; use of physical restraint; regulations

✓ current as of July 2026

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Section 37G. (a) The power of the school committee or of any teacher or any other employee or agent of the school committee to maintain discipline upon school property shall not include the right to inflict corporal punishment upon any pupil.

(b) The provisions of this section shall not preclude any member of the school committee or any teacher or any employee or agent of the school committee from using such reasonable force as is necessary to protect pupils, other persons, and themselves from an assault by a pupil. When such an assault has occurred, the principal shall file a detailed report of such with the school committee.

(c) The board of education shall promulgate regulations regarding the use of physical restraint for students. Such regulations shall not preclude any teacher or employee or agent of the school from using reasonable force to protect pupils, other persons and themselves from an assault by a pupil as set forth above in section (b). Such regulations shall require training of all personnel authorized to administer any forms of restraint. Such regulations shall provide for procedures for notification to the department and to the parents.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 10 cases, 1982–2006 · leading case: Sch. Dist. v. Geller, 737 N.E.2d 873 (Mass. App. Ct. 2000).

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Sch. Dist. v. Geller, 737 N.E.2d 873 (Mass. App. Ct. 2000). · cites it 3× “G. L. c. 71, § 37G. 4 The statute specifies that teachers have no right to inflict corporal punishment on students and may use physical force only insofar as necessary to protect pupils, other persons, and themselves from an assault by a pupil.”

Smith v. W. Va. State Bd. of Educ., 295 S.E.2d 680 (W. Va. 1982). “Corporal punishment has also been prohibited by school districts of several large cities including Baltimore, New York, Chicago, Boston, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and San Francisco.”

Commonwealth v. Ramos, 849 N.E.2d 243 (Mass. App. Ct. 2006). “A violation of the laws prohibiting corporal punishment and physical restraints to enforce school rules (see G. L. c. 71, § 37G; 603 Code Mass. Regs. § 46.”

Sch. Comm. of Waltham v. Waltham Educators Ass'n, 500 N.E.2d 1312 (Mass. 1986). “G. L. c. 71, § 37G (1984 ed.). Corporal punishment, if it means anything, must be intentional.”

Bd. of Educ. v. Sch. Comm. of Quincy, 612 N.E.2d 666 (Mass. 1993). “The Legislature has limited the disciplinary powers of the school committees, prohibiting corporal punishment; G. L. c. 71, § 37G, and requiring school committees to publish the rules of conduct for students.”

Wilson v. Dep't of Soc. Servs., 843 N.E.2d 691 (Mass. App. Ct. 2006). · cites it 2× “32 (2000), see note 5, infra, she rejected the plaintiff’s claim that his actions were authorized by G. L. c. 71, § 37G, see note 6, infra. The hearing officer did not believe the plaintiff’s testimony that he intervened because the child was creating a danger to himself or…”

Daily v. Bd. of Educ. of Morrill Sch. Dist., 588 N.W.2d 813 (Neb. 1999). “§ 53a-18 (West 1994); Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 71, § 37G (West 1996); Nev.”

Commonwealth v. Rubeck, 833 N.E.2d 650 (Mass. App. Ct. 2005). “, G. L. c. 71, § 37G(a) (corporal punishment of pupils in public schools prohibited); 102 Code Mass.”

Daily v. Bd. of Educ., 588 N.W.2d 813 (Neb. 1999). “§ 53a-18 (West 1994); Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 71, § 37G (West 1996); Nev.”

City of Boston Sch. Comm. v. Boston Teachers Union, Local 66, 22 Mass. L. Rptr. 15 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2006). · cites it 2× “…not offend any policy inherent in those laws. Thus, the School Committee is left relying on G.L.c. 119, §§51A and E, G.L.c. 71, §37G, and G.L.c. 269, §§17-19 to support its public policy argument. General Laws c. 119, §§51A and 51E require that confidential written reports be…”

— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 37G(a) — 1 case

Commonwealth v. Rubeck, 833 N.E.2d 650 (Mass. App. Ct. 2005). “, G. L. c. 71, § 37G(a) (corporal punishment of pupils in public schools prohibited); 102 Code Mass.”

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