# Brazilian legislative debate on criminal age reduction

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/brazil-chamber-of-deputies-forms-commission-to-debate-loweri
> Updated: 2026-08-11T18:54:12.000Z. Sources: 33. Developments: 2.

The Brazilian Chamber of Deputies has installed a special commission to analyze Proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) 32/2015, which seeks to reduce the criminal age from 18 to 16 years. The commission, presided over by Deputy Aluísio Mendes with Deputy Mendonça Filho serving as rapporteur, has between 10 and 40 plenary sessions to review the proposal and submit a report.

The amendment specifically targets 16 and 17-year-olds involved in heinous crimes, such as homicide, rape, and torture. If approved by the special commission, the text must pass through two rounds of voting in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, requiring a three-fifths majority.

The proposal faces significant opposition from the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP). The SBP argues there is no scientific evidence that reducing the criminal age decreases juvenile crime, noting that minors under 18 are responsible for only 0.5% to 2% of homicides. Critics and social organizations have also warned that the change could lead to mass incarceration without improving public safety.

Proponents, however, argue that current adolescent legislation is too lenient. Due to the upcoming October elections, the rapporteur has indicated that a final vote on the commission’s report may not occur until after the electoral period.

## Claims

- The proposed constitutional amendment (PEC 32/2015) seeks to reduce the criminal age from 18 to 16 years. (corroborated by 18 sources)
- Deputy Aluísio Mendes was elected to preside over the special commission. (corroborated by 15 sources)
- Deputy Mendonça Filho was appointed as the rapporteur for the PEC. (corroborated by 15 sources)
- The Brazilian Society of Pediatrics opposes the reduction, stating there is no scientific evidence it reduces juvenile crime. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Data cited by the SBP indicates minors under 18 are responsible for only 0.5% to 2% of homicides. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- A final vote on the proposal in the plenary is not expected to occur before the October elections. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The amendment would target 16 and 17-year-olds involved in heinous crimes, such as homicide or rape. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-11: Brazil Chamber of Deputies installs commission to debate criminal age reduction

The Brazilian Chamber of Deputies has launched a special commission to debate PEC 32/2015, which proposes reducing the criminal age from 18 to 16 years, amid opposition from pediatric experts.

33 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/so-paulo-society-of-pediatrics-launches-ai-and-digital-health-initiative

### 2026-07-17: Brazilian Chamber Committee Approves Bill to Require Schools to Report Child Labor Suspicions

Brazil's Chamber Education Committee approved a bill mandating schools to report suspected child labor, especially for children up to 12, moving to further committee review.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazils-house-backs-bill-requiring-schools-to-report-child-labor

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Cite as: Brazilian legislative debate on criminal age reduction. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/brazil-chamber-of-deputies-forms-commission-to-debate-loweri