France Parliament Passes Child Protection Bill to Tighten Care and Oversight

On 21 July 2026 the French National Assembly approved in its first reading, under an accelerated procedure, a bill aimed at strengthening the protection of children placed in the social welfare system. The legislation limits the duration of judicial placements to one year for children under three and two years for older minors, requiring a specially motivated decision from a juvenile‑court judge for any renewal. It seeks to prioritize family‑based or trusted‑person care, mandating that emergency placements identify a relative or trustworthy adult within eight days and that the suitability of the caregiver be evaluated within three months.

The bill also enhances monitoring of professionals working with minors, improves reporting on children’s family situations, and expands prevention and prosecution of violence against them. After passage in the Assembly, the text now proceeds to the Senate for further examination.