{"id":16485,"date":"2026-09-09T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/?p=16485"},"modified":"2026-09-08T16:07:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T21:07:15","slug":"adoption-reform-sets-30-day-assessment-deadline-in-panama","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/living\/adoption-reform-sets-30-day-assessment-deadline-in-panama\/","title":{"rendered":"Adoption Reform Sets 30-Day Assessment Deadline in Panama"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A child found in danger or without parental care in Panama would receive psychosocial attention within the first 24 hours under a legislative proposal now circulating in the National Assembly. The measure forms part of a sweeping Panama adoptio<\/a>n reform package designed to replace open-ended waiting periods with firm deadlines and put the best interests of minors at the center of every state decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislative Origins and Key Players<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bill 140, introduced by deputies Manuel Cheng and Janine Prado, modifies the General Adoptions Law of the Republic of Panama, formally designated as Law 46 of 2013. Lawmakers are currently evaluating the text in a technical working group attached to the Commission on Women, Youth, Childhood, and Family Affairs, chaired by deputy Olga Paulette Thomas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Representatives from multiple government bodies tied to child welfare have joined the discussions, including the National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and Family (Senniaf). Their collective goal centers on building consensus around a faster, more predictable system for handling adoption cases and other protective measures for vulnerable minors across the country. The technical table format allows each institution to raise concerns and propose adjustments before the full commission votes on the measure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"adoption
Bill 140, introduced by deputies Manuel Cheng and Janine Prado, modifies the General Adoptions Law of the Republic of Panama. (By Adoption Center)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Law 46 of 2013 represented a significant modernization of Panama’s adoption framework when it passed more than a decade ago. But implementation challenges emerged over time, particularly around procedural delays and coordination gaps between agencies. The current bill targets those weaknesses directly, acknowledging that a well-written law only protects children when it functions efficiently in practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Panama Adoption Reform and Faster Evaluations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of the proposed changes sits the psychosocial evaluation conducted by Senniaf<\/a>, the state agency responsible for child protection. Sherene P\u00e9rez D\u00edaz, speaking on behalf of the institution, told lawmakers that this assessment would need to be completed within a maximum of 30 business days under the new framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“This procedure should be completed within a maximum period of 30 business days” [Translated from Spanish]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The legislation also establishes a clear route for attention with defined deadlines at each stage. When authorities identify a minor in a dangerous situation or one who has lost parental care, Senniaf would be required to provide psychological and social support within the first day. This immediate response provision marks a significant departure from existing practices, where procedural delays can leave children in legal limbo for months without adequate emotional support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n