Goa Assembly passes Bill to drop ‘leprosy’ references from child law to curb stigma

The Goa Assembly has passed the Goa Children’s (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aiming to remove references to "leprosy" from the State’s child protection legislation. The primary objective of the amendment is to eliminate social stigma and discrimination against people affected by the disease. Introduced by State Women and Child Development Minister Vishwajit Rane, the Bill was passed by voice vote in the House.

The amendment removes the word "leprosy" from two provisions of the Goa Children’s Act, 2003, aligning the State law with a Supreme Court order from May 7, 2025. The Bill will come into force immediately after receiving the Governor’s assent, and it does not have any financial implications or involve any delegated legislation.

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