Senate approves Penal Code with stricter penalties

Santo Domingo.- The Senate of the Republic has approved the draft law of the Penal Code, adding 72 new articles to address various serious offenses such as contract killing, femicide, genocide, bullying, chemical damage, public and judicial bribery, harassment, corruption, domestic violence, and increasing the maximum prison sentence from 30 to 40 years.

The draft was approved by the Senate Plenary with 20 votes out of 22 present. It now moves to the Chamber of Deputies for further consideration. Pedro Catrain, president of the Senate Justice Committee, presented the report and requested its inclusion in the agenda, which was approved by 19 senators.

Last week, Senate President Ricardo de los Santos formed a special commission, headed by Senator Santiago Zorrilla and including several other senators, to study the bill. The commission reformed various articles, classifying offenses into very serious infractions (up to 40 years in prison), serious infractions (15 days to 3 years in prison), and minor infractions (fines and/or additional penalties).

Senators Alexis Victoria Yeb, Dionis Sánchez, Ramón Rogelio Genao, Eddy Nolasco, Antonio Marte, and Virgilio Cedano Santana reintroduced the bill, which consists of 419 articles. This comprehensive reform aims to modernize Dominican criminal law, replacing the outdated Penal Code enacted in 1884.

Key changes include penalties for harassment or bullying, gender violence, hired assassination, and damage with chemical substances. Aggravated harassment, abandonment of vulnerable adults, and discrimination are also addressed. New provisions include severe penalties for non-consensual sexual activity involving deception, force, or substances.