President Danilo Medina has sent to the Senate a bill for the Family Code. The bill calls for the creation of a new Miinistry of Family and Social Development (Mifdes) and the creation of a new National Family Protection system.
Among new measures, the bill would allow either partner in a marriage to establish residence separate from the one they have together, without going against the rules of conjugal cohabitation. It also establishes the option for the husband to take his wife’s maiden name with or without the usual “de”. The Code also proposes to promote paternal responsibility and allows single mothers to give their children the father’s surname.
In addition it eliminates the words “natural or recognized child” from any official documents. According to the proposal, once they are of age, children should contribute financially to their parents and look after them and help them in their old age, and with whatever illness or vulnerable situation they find themselves in.
The long code, drafted by a commission under Vice President Margarita Cedeno, compiles legislation pertaining to the family that is in the Civil Code and other laws as well as to establish a Comprehensive National System for Family Assistance.
Although it states that the couple should each be 18 years old in order to marry, it allows for 16 year olds to marry as long as they have the consent of their parents, and should they disagree then the child can appeal to the Juvenile Court for them to take the decision.
Children aged 14 and 15 who wish to marry must have their parents’ consent as well as the consent of the Juvenile court.
www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2014/3/11/313982/Codigo-de-Familia-permitiria-el-matrimonio-entre-adolescentes