State of Mexico advances comprehensive child‑labor law

Deputy Luisa Esmeralda Navarro Hernández presented a draft law to create a comprehensive legal framework against child labor in the State of Mexico. The proposal would amend the State's Children’s Rights Law, the Education Law and the Penal Code, and was drafted with direct input from minors through several forums and a children’s parliament.

Five of seven required forums have been held, bringing together the executive, legislative and autonomous agencies. Officials highlighted that child labor remains concentrated in informal commerce, agriculture and domestic service, especially in municipalities such as Ecatepec, Nezahualcóyotl and Tlalnepantla. The law aims to strengthen inter‑institutional coordination, improve detection and support for cases, and address root causes like poverty and lack of public services. The draft is expected to be debated and possibly approved in the second half of the year.