Corporal punishment would be permanently prohibited in North Carolina's public schools in legislation advancing a year after the last two school districts gave up that option.
The House voted 94-16 on Wednesday for legislation repealing the process by which local school boards can choose to use spanking.
Districts allowing corporal punishment declined over the years as it fell out of favor due to societal changes and research discouraging it. Graham and Robeson county schools were the last to allow it.
Approval was bipartisan, with Republicans casting the only "no" votes. GOP Rep. Larry Pittman of Cabarrus County lamented the legislation, saying spanking is an effective disciplinary tool the state shouldn't take away.
Corporal punishment in schools has been banned in over 30 states.
The bill now heads to the Senate.