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House Constitutional Committee approves constitutional amendment reducing criminal age to 16

2 sources · 14 Jun 2026 · Share coverage ·

verbatim from the press ? no verbatim passage

The House Constitutional and Justice Committee (CCJ) approved on Wednesday (11) the admissibility opinion for Constitutional Amendment 32/2015, which reduces the criminal age from 18 to 16 years. The proposal was presented in 2015 by then-deputy Gonzaga Patriota (PSB-PE) and is being processed under the rapporteurship of deputy Coronel Assis (PL-MT), who voted for admissibility. The vote was 44 in favor against 18 against. ?

Press quotes (2)
Cnnbrasil

"Apresentada em 2015 pelo então deputado Gonzaga Patriota (PSB-PE), a proposta prevê que adolescentes a partir de 16 anos possam ser responsabilizados criminalmente como adultos."

Cnnbrasil

"A PEC 32/2015 tramita apensada com duas outras propostas. O relator, deputado Coronel Assis (PL-MT), votou a favor da admissibilidade de todas"

The version approved by the CCJ removes from the original proposition the reduction of majority age for administrative matters, maintaining only criminal responsibility. Aspects such as authorization for marriage, contract celebration, obtaining a driver's license, and mandatory voting at 16 were left out.

Press quotes (1)
Congressoemfoco

"A versão aprovada retira da proposição original, de autoria de Coronel Assis (PL-MT), a redução da maioridade para questões administrativas, como autorização para casamento, celebração de contratos, obtenção da carteira de habilitação e obrigatoriedade do voto aos 16 anos."

The project will now go to a special committee, which will be created by the House Board of Directors for merit discussion. This stage can extend up to 40 plenary sessions and usually includes public hearings and debates. After the special committee, the constitutional amendment needs to be approved in two rounds in the House plenary by at least 308 deputies (60% of the House).

Press quotes (2)
Congressoemfoco

"a Mesa Diretora da Câmara fica responsável pela criação da comissão especial encarregada da discussão de mérito"

Congressoemfoco

"O colegiado dispõe de um prazo mínimo de 10 e máximo de 40 sessões plenárias para apresentar e aprovar um parecer"

PT leadership plans to use constitutional arguments to block the processing. Deputy Patrus Ananias (PT-MG), who voted against in the CCJ, argued that the constitutional amendment violates constitutional entrenchment clauses by removing fundamental guarantees from adolescents. According to him, the measure would open space for successive reductions in criminal age.

Press quotes (1)
Veja

"Em seu voto, o parlamentar sustentou que a PEC fere cláusulas pétreas da Constituição por retirar garantias fundamentais dos adolescentes. Para o petista, a medida abriria espaço para sucessivas reduções da idade penal"

1. What we know (1)

Constitutional amendment needs to be approved by qualified quorum of 60% of deputies (308 votes) in two rounds

1 source Congressoemfoco
2. Where coverage thins out (2)

Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.

Covered by only some sources (1)

Reducing criminal age is one of Flávio Bolsonaro's campaign platforms

Reported by: Veja
Did not cover: Congressoemfoco

Conflicting versions (1)

Original authorship of PEC 32/2015

2 sources — "Gonzaga Patriota (PSB-PE) was the original author of PEC 32/2015 in 2015": Cnnbrasil Veja
1 source — "Coronel Assis (PL-MT) is identified as author of the original proposition": Congressoemfoco
3. What we don't know yet (3)
  • What will be the composition of the special committee that will analyze the constitutional amendment's merit?

    Why it's still unknown: The House Board of Directors has not yet defined the members nor installed the collegium

    Did not cover: Congressoemfoco Veja
  • What are the other two constitutional amendments attached to PEC 32/2015?

    Why it's still unknown: Sources mention that attached proposals exist but do not identify their numbers or content

    Did not cover: Congressoemfoco Veja
  • What is the expected timeline for installing the special committee?

    Why it's still unknown: Hugo Motta has not yet defined a deadline for creating the collegium

    Did not cover: Congressoemfoco Veja

All sources

2