Brazilian Senate legislative updates for youth and trainees

Legislative efforts in the Brazilian Senate have focused on updating protections and training frameworks for minors and young workers. In July, the Senate’s Commission of Social Affairs (CAS) postponed a vote on Bill PL 6461/2019, which seeks to establish a National Apprentice Statute. The bill, which aims to unify apprenticeship norms and expand hiring options for various sectors, targets individuals aged 14–24 and persons with disabilities. The postponement occurred following requests for individual views from several senators. By August, the Senate's Education Commission approved an amendment to the Statute of the Child and Adolescent (ECA) to align it with the Constitution by expanding references to mandatory and free basic education for those aged 4 to 17. Concurrently, the Social Affairs Commission approved the project to establish the Statute of the Apprentice, defining it as a methodical technical-professional training process that prioritizes adolescents aged 14 to 17 and vulnerable populations. In August 2026, the Education Commission approved PL 2.234/2024, authored by Deputy Laura Carneiro. This bill seeks to update the ECA by replacing references to elementary school with “mandatory basic education” for ages 4 to 17, thereby extending supplementary programs—including food, transportation, and health assistance—across the entire basic education spectrum. It also mandates student census and attendance monitoring. Regarding the Apprentice Statute (PL 6.461/2019), the Senate has withdrawn the project from its agenda following a senatorial agreement. Senate President Davi Alcolumbre noted that despite unanimous support for reorganizing apprenticeship rules, concerns persist regarding the impact on specific professional categories and the feasibility of compliance for certain companies. The project, which proposes mandatory hiring quotas between 5% and 15% for many businesses, may return to the agenda in late August. In late August, organizations including IVEPESP, CIEE, and FEBRAEDA urged the Senate to advance Bill No. 6,461/2019.