Brazil's Chamber of Deputies Approves Law to Protect Child Protection Councilors

The Brazilian Chamber of Deputies has approved Project Law 749/25, a legislative measure aimed at ensuring the safety of members of the Conselho Tutelar, the child protection councils tasked with safeguarding children's rights. This law amends the Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente (Statute of the Child and Adolescent) to require states and the Federal District to implement necessary protections for councilors while performing their duties, according to regional legislation.

Introduced by Deputy Roberto Duarte (Republicanos-AC) and supported by Deputy Laura Carneiro (PSD-RJ), the proposal acknowledges the growing threats, verbal and physical assaults faced by councillors, particularly in cases involving child abuse and extreme vulnerability. Carneiro stressed that these hostile conditions not only endanger the physical and emotional well-being of these public servants but also undermine child protection efforts across the country.

The Conselho Tutelar, established in 1990, operates autonomously to investigate abuse allegations, enforce protective measures, and ensure children's rights are upheld. The approved bill now proceeds to the Comissão de Constituição e Justiça e de Cidadania (Committee on Constitution, Justice and Citizenship) for further evaluation, and requires final approval from both the Chamber and the Senate to become law.

This legislative initiative represents a critical step in strengthening protections for those on the front lines of child welfare in Brazil, responding to the escalating risks they face in their vital roles.