GLENDALE : Graffiti-Spanking Bill Clears Committee

A state Assembly bill that would allow judges to order parents to spank juvenile graffiti vandals with a hardwood paddle in a public courtroom has passed its first hurdle in the Assembly Public Safety Committee.

Committee members voted 4 to 1 this week to approve the measure, known as Assembly Bill 150. The bill was drafted by Assemblyman Mickey Conroy (R-Orange) and co-authored by Assemblyman James Rogan (R-Glendale).

The proposal, drafted in response to what Conroy characterized as “public outrage over an explosion of graffiti,� will travel next week to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

The measure is far from becoming law, however, as it must receive the go-ahead from the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, the entire Assembly and Senate, and then signed into law by the governor.

If it passes, the bill would mark the first time any United States lawmaker has successfully introduced corporal-punishment legislation in this century, said Conroy spokesman Chris Manson.

The measure would require youths under the age of 18 who are convicted of graffiti vandalism to receive from four to 10 whacks with an 18-inch-long, 6-inch-wide and 3/4-inch-thick wood paddle from their parents in front of a judge.

If the parents refuse to punish their child, the judge can order the bailiff to administer the spanking. The bill would also require court officials to release the names of convicted vandals to the public.