Dominican Republic Penal Code reform expands criminal liability

The reform of the Penal Code in the Dominican Republic introduces a more rigorous punitive scrutiny across various professional sectors, including medicine and media.

In the medical field, the new legal architecture covers biomedical research, assisted human reproduction, the pharmaceutical industry, and healthcare services. The legal framework shifts focus from physical injury to the violation of patient autonomy and informed consent. This means a successful medical intervention may still result in criminal liability if required consent is ignored. The regulations address issues such as genetic information, experimentation, and the responsibility of legal entities like clinics and laboratories.

Simultaneously, the reform establishes a regime of criminal liability for legal entities within the media sector. News organizations, television and radio studios, and digital platforms face exposure regarding defamation, privacy, audiovisual content, and fraud. To mitigate these risks, the implementation of documented organizational controls and compliance programs is identified as an essential preventive measure for media companies operating within the democratic framework.