No, spanking a child in Maryland is not explicitly banned, but it is tightly constrained by state law and local child welfare policies. While corporal punishment is not criminalized outright, excessive force that causes injury or is deemed abusive violates Maryland’s child abuse statutes. The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) interprets spanking as potentially abusive if it leaves marks, causes emotional harm, or is used as a primary disciplinary method. Recent 2026 guidance from the DHS emphasizes that spanking must align with the state’s “reasonable discipline” framework, which prioritizes non-violent correction methods.
Key Regulations for Spanking Your Child in Maryland
- Prohibition of Harmful Force: Maryland’s Family Law § 5-701 defines child abuse as physical injury inflicted by a parent or guardian. Spanking that results in bruising, welts, or psychological distress violates this statute, per DHS enforcement memos.
- Local Child Protective Services (CPS) Oversight: County-based CPS agencies (e.g., Baltimore City’s CPS unit) investigate reports of excessive spanking under the 2024 Child Abuse Prevention Act amendments, which expanded definitions of “unreasonable discipline.”
- School and Daycare Reporting Mandates: Maryland’s 2025 Safe Schools Act requires educators to report any disciplinary practices resembling spanking to authorities, even if no visible injury occurs. Failure to report may trigger penalties under § 5-705.