Italy passes ‘Liberi di scegliere’ law to protect youths from mafia families

The Italian Parliament approved the ‘Liberi di scegliere’ law, a national measure aimed at safeguarding minors and adults up to age 25 who wish to leave families linked to organised crime. The bill, drafted by Judge Roberto Di Bella and supported by a broad parliamentary majority, was passed by the Chamber of Deputies on 1 July 2026 and received its final Senate endorsement on 15 July 2026. It now awaits promulgation in the Gazzetta Ufficiale.

The legislation provides permanent protection, economic assistance, psychological support and social‑inclusion pathways for those who escape mafia environments. Judicial authorities must assess each case, confirming a serious risk to the minor’s physical or psychological integrity before applying measures. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the law as a “fundamental piece of anti‑mafia legislation” that complements traditional repression with preventive tools, offering a legal alternative to a life dictated by criminal clans.

‘Liberi di scegliere’ builds on earlier regional pilots in Calabria and Sicily, integrating the work of civil‑society groups such as Libera and the Italian Episcopal Conference into an institutional framework.