Dominican Republic child protection law reform

Dominican Republic authorities have initiated a process to reform Law 136-03, known as the Minor Code, to better align the Code for the Protection and Fundamental Rights of Children, Girls, and Adolescents with the Constitution and the Penal Code.

The initiative, involving the Cabinet of Childhood and Adolescence (GANA), the National Council for Children and Adolescents (CONANI), and the Public Ministry, seeks to integrate technical perspectives from various sectors to provide a unified vision for Congress.

CONANI has clarified that the reform is currently in a draft stage for consultation. The proposal is undergoing analysis and incorporates contributions from more than 80 religious, social, public, and private entities. The draft aims to reflect diverse family structures to ensure protection for children regardless of their household composition.

CONANI has emphasized that the document is still undergoing analysis and discussion to formulate a preliminary bill, meaning no provisions are yet final. The institution further stated that the proposal does not contravene the constitutional values of the Dominican Republic.

Recent developments indicate that CONANI and the Cabinet of Children and Adolescents continue to work toward reforming the legal framework. This ongoing dialogue with civil society organizations and technical sectors aims to update the law to better reflect current social and judicial realities, ensuring more robust protection for minors.