The Dominican Republic now has the Law for the Care, Inclusion and Protection for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders 34-23. President Luis Abinader signed the law on 5 June 2023. It will go into effect in 120 days.
The legal advisor to the President, Antoliano Peralta, remarks that the law needs to be revised to meet inclusion criteria for all persons with disabilities. He favors a comprehensive amendment also of Disability Law 5-13.
Legal advisor Peralta regretted that the new law generates redundancies. He noted that the Executive Branch would have to be very cautious in the regulatory work to take care of the administrative processes that the new norm creates without adequate specificity.
“President Abinader, even aware that the legal text can and should be improved, has decided to proceed with the enactment to offer the citizens affected by this condition the greatest possible protection,” said the legal advisor.
He explained that the President has instructed the legal advisory office to form a team of experts in the field to address the regulatory work and also work on possible legislative initiatives of the government so that the strengthening and institutionalization not only benefit those who suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but any person with a disability.
“From the government, we are aware of the challenge that raising and caring for children with this condition implies for Dominican families under the current circumstances, so we are committed to strengthening the legal framework that protects and guarantees access to education without restrictions or discrimination, health, as well as recreational and cultural activities, within a healthy environment, where respect for diversity and inclusion prevails,” he concluded.
Peralta said that in the next 120 days established by the law for the start of the implementation of the law, the Executive Branch will take the necessary measures so that the execution of the norm takes place within the framework of legal certainty and without negatively affecting any of the sectors that in a timely manner collaborate in this civic work.
The new rule aims to regulate the care, protection and full and effective inclusion in society of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), by protecting and guaranteeing their rights and satisfying their needs. To this end, among other measures, it expands the catalog of principles conceived by Law 5-13, and establishes certain rights for persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It also introduces new rules for the application and inter-institutional coordination within the framework of the care, protection and inclusion of persons affected by this situation.
Other countries in Latin America that have autism laws are: Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and Puerto Rico.
Read more in Spanish:
Presidency
Autism Law 34-23
7 June 2023