What Happened
Panama is on the verge of approving a new law that would specifically punish paternity fraud, after the National Assembly gave final approval to Project 510 in its third debate on April 29. The proposal now goes to President José Raúl Mulino, who must decide whether to sign it into law or veto it.
The measure creates a legal framework for cases in which a man is induced, through deception or concealment, to recognize a child as his own even though the child is not biologically related to him. It also covers situations in which the deception continues and produces financial or moral consequences.
How the Law Would Work
One of the central changes is that challenges to paternity would not expire when fraud is involved. That means a person could go to court years after signing a recognition if he can prove he was misled.
The proposal also requires judges to order DNA testing in every case. If one party refuses to cooperate without justification, the court may treat that refusal as an indication against that person.
If a judge confirms fraud, the ruling would have immediate effects. The Civil Registry would cancel the filiation, future legal obligations would end, and the child would keep the right to know and claim his or her biological identity.
Prison Terms and Fines
The bill adds paternity fraud to the Penal Code. The offense carries a prison sentence of two to five years and fines ranging from 100 to 500 days.
Penalties would increase if the deception lasts more than five years, involves more than one child, or generates repeated economic benefits. The text also states that any fraud ruling must not affect the child’s fundamental rights or access to state protection.
The law would also allow the affected man to seek compensation from the biological father if that person knew about the paternity and allowed the deception to continue.
Political Debate
Deputy Jairo Salazar of the Democratic Revolutionary Party introduced the proposal on January 19, 2026, as draft bill 333. He argued that Panama’s legal system lacks a direct rule addressing this type of deception and that current tools are not enough when biological truth comes to light years later.
Salazar said the goal is to close a legal gap and prevent fraud from being strengthened by the passage of time. He also defended the criminal penalties as a deterrent against conduct that affects family life, property, and legal certainty.
The debate moved through the Assembly’s Committee on Government, Justice, and Constitutional Affairs, chaired by Luis Eduardo Camacho of the ruling Realizando Metas party. During the discussion, Salazar said the bill targets deliberate deception, not women or families, and that he chose a maximum sentence of five years after rejecting tougher options he considered excessive.
Criticism From Women’s Groups
Women’s groups have criticized the proposal for relying on prison as the main response to a family conflict that could also harm children. They argue that a criminal conviction could deepen trauma for a child already facing questions about biological identity and could even lead to family separation.
They also question whether incarceration is the best solution in a prison system affected by overcrowding and structural limits, saying the bill emphasizes punishment over mediation or repair.
With legislative approval complete, the final decision now rests with Mulino as Panama moves closer to creating a dedicated offense for paternity fraud.