✓ verbatim from the press
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed into law on Friday (19) Law No. 15,438/2026, which extends from six months to one year the deadline for women victims of domestic and family violence to file charges against their aggressors. The measure was published in the Federal Official Gazette and took effect immediately. The new legislation amends the Penal Code, the Maria da Penha Law, and the Code of Criminal Procedure. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"O presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sancionou nesta sexta-feira (19) a Lei nº 15.438/2026, que amplia de seis meses para um ano o prazo para que mulheres vítimas de violência doméstica e familiar possam apresentar queixa contra o agressor. A medida foi publicada no Diário Oficial da União (DOU)."
"A nova legislação altera dispositivos do Código Penal, da Lei Maria da Penha e do Código de Processo Penal."
The law originated from Bill 421/2023, authored by Representative Laura Carneiro (PSD-RJ). In the Senate, the matter received favorable opinions in three committees: the Public Security Committee (CSP), where the rapporteur was former Senator Margareth Buzetti (MT); the Human Rights Committee (CDH), where the rapporteur was Senator Damares Alves (Republicans-DF); and the Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ), where the rapporteur was Senator Professor Dorinha Seabra (Union-TO). The bill was unanimously approved in the Senate Plenary on May 26, 2026. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"No Senado, a matéria recebeu pareceres favoráveis em três comissões da Casa (na ordem a seguir): na Comissão de Segurança Pública (CSP), onde a relatora foi a ex-senadora Margareth Buzetti (MT); na Comissão de Direitos Humanos (CDH), onde a relatora foi a senadora Damares Alves (Republicanos-DF); na Comissão de Constituição e Justiça (CCJ), onde a relatora foi a senadora Professora Dorinha Seabra (União-TO)."
"A norma teve origem no projeto de lei 421/2023, de autoria da deputada Laura Carneiro (PSD-RJ)."
In the opinion approved by the CCJ, Senator Professor Dorinha Seabra argued that many victims live with the aggressor, maintain emotional ties and, in many cases, depend financially on him, which makes it difficult to immediately file a complaint. According to the rapporteur, extending the deadline will allow victims more time to overcome fear, shame, trauma and even the emotional bonds involved, as well as to gather the conditions to report the assaults suffered. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"No parecer, Dorinha argumentou que muitas vítimas convivem com o agressor, mantêm vínculos afetivos e, em diversos casos, dependem financeiramente dele, o que dificulta a formalização imediata da denúncia."
"Segundo a relatora, a ampliação do prazo permitirá que as vítimas tenham mais tempo para superar o medo, a vergonha, os traumas e até os laços emocionais envolvidos, além de reunir condições para denunciar as agressões sofridas."
Under the previous rule, the victim had up to six months to formalize representation after learning of the crime's authorship or after the end of the deadline for the Public Prosecutor's Office to file charges. With the presidential signature, this period extends to 12 months, seeking to adapt the legislation to the reality faced by women in situations of domestic violence. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Pela regra anterior, a vítima tinha até seis meses para formalizar a representação após tomar conhecimento da autoria do crime ou após o fim do prazo para oferecimento da denúncia pelo Ministério Público."
"Com a sanção presidencial, esse período passa a ser de 12 meses."
President Lula signed Law No. 15,438/2026 on June 19, 2026, extending from 6 to 12 months the deadline for reporting domestic violence, with publication in the Official Gazette and immediate effect.
The bill originated from PL 421/2023, authored by Representative Laura Carneiro (PSD-RJ), and was reported in the Senate by Senator Professor Dorinha Seabra (Union-TO) in the CCJ.
The justification for extending the deadline centers on emotional and material obstacles faced by victims, including emotional ties with the aggressor, financial dependence, and difficulty overcoming fear and trauma.
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (2)
The bill went through three Senate committees (CSP, CDH and CCJ) with favorable opinions from three different senators — Margareth Buzetti, Damares Alves and Professor Dorinha Seabra.
Approval in the Senate Plenary occurred unanimously on May 26, 2026.
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How does the extension of the statute of limitations from 6 to 12 months apply to cases where the original 6-month deadline had already expired before the new law took effect?
Why it's still unknown: None of the consulted outlets and no primary source detailed the transition regime or the intertemporal application of the law. The bill's explanatory memorandum and the text of Law 15,438/2026 were not retrieved to verify whether there is a specific article addressing retroactivity or immediate application to pending cases.
Did not cover: Congressoemfoco Tvtnews Senado -
How many domestic violence cases were dismissed due to statute of limitations in the 6 to 12-month interval after the fact, justifying the practical relevance of the extension?
Why it's still unknown: No outlet presented statistics from the Public Prosecutor's Office, Public Defender's Office, or CNJ on the percentage of domestic violence complaints dismissed specifically due to statute of limitations in the 6 to 12-month interval. Without this empirical basis, it is not possible to measure whether the change addresses a significant volume of cases or is predominantly symbolic.
Did not cover: Congressoemfoco Tvtnews Senado -
Was there parliamentary opposition to the bill during its passage through the Chamber of Deputies or the Federal Senate?
Why it's still unknown: The coverage reports unanimous Senate approval and favorable opinions in all committees, but does not detail whether there were debates, objections, or contrary opinions during the Chamber's deliberations or Senate committees. The absence of any recorded opposition may indicate consensus or underreporting of deliberative stages.
Did not cover: Congressoemfoco Tvtnews -
Is there a predicted fiscal impact from extending the deadline, and how was it calculated?
Why it's still unknown: No outlet mentioned an opinion from the Chamber's or Senate's Budget Advisory on potential budgetary impact of the measure (for example, additional costs of processing complaints or implementing victim support policies). There is no record of a formal fiscal assessment of the bill.
Did not cover: Congressoemfoco Tvtnews Senado