Goa passes bill to drop ‘leprosy’ references from child law to eliminate social stigma
The amendment has been brought to remove social stigma and discrimination against persons affected by leprosy.
The Goa state assembly recently approved the Goa Children's (Amendment) Bill, 2026, with the aim of eliminating references to leprosy from the state's child protection law. This move seeks to reduce social stigma and discrimination faced by individuals impacted by the disease. State Women and Child Development Minister Vishwajit Rane proposed the bill, which was introduced in the assembly on Tuesday and subsequently passed by voice vote.
The amendment is in response to a Supreme Court order from May 7, 2025, and aligns the state law with the court's guidelines.
The primary objective of the bill is to remove the term "leprosy" from two provisions within the Goa Children Act, 2003. Section 2, which outlines definitions, will no longer associate leprosy with HIV as a disease carrying social stigma. Moreover, Section 5, dealing with health and nutrition, will no longer mention leprosy. This amendment ensures that healthcare facilities and hospitals are prohibited from denying treatment or admission to children or pregnant mothers suffering from conditions associated with social stigma, regardless of the specific disease.
The bill's impact is financially neutral, as it does not entail any delegated legislation. Once the governor's assent is received, the amendment will come into effect immediately.
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