For the eighth straight year Nebraska lawmakers are listening to the pros and cons of what to do with unruly, sometimes violent students.

According to a bill backed by nine Republican lawmakers and the state teachers’ union, teachers would be able to use what is described as “reasonable physical intervention” needed to keep peace in the classroom.

Teachers are not allowed to inflict bodily pain as a penalty for bad behavior.

During a public hearing in Lincoln Tuesday, one woman testified that her autistic 8-year-old son was abused by teachers.

[View her comments and the union’s comments above]

The bill would prohibit teachers from inflicting bodily pain as a penalty for bad behavior.

The bill goes on to allow school districts to adopt policies that give teachers the authority to remove students from a class and create a safe environment while returning the student to class as soon as possible.

If teachers act “reasonably” they would not be subject to professional or administrative discipline.