Tamaulipas Congress increases penalties for unauthorized schools and fraudulent degrees

The Permanent Deputation of the Tamaulipas Congress has unanimously approved reforms to the state Penal Code to increase penalties for unauthorized educational services and the issuance of fraudulent academic documents.

The reforms aim to protect students from institutions operating without official recognition. One initiative proposes amending Article 418 to classify the issuance, delivery, or offering of titles, diplomas, or academic degrees lacking official authentication as fraud.

A second reform targets Article 189 Ter, seeking to double prison sentences from four to eight years for providing educational services without authorization. Additionally, fines could increase from 1,000 to 2,000 UMAs, with penalties potentially applying to each irregular facility operated. Legislators stated these measures are necessary to provide legal certainty and security to the educational community.