Baja California’s state congress voted unanimously on Thursday to approve a federal constitutional reform that will create a single, nationwide legal definition of feminicide and standardize penalties across all 32 Mexican states. The reform amends Article 73 of the Mexican Constitution, granting the federal congress authority to issue a uniform penal code for the crime.
Until now, each Mexican state has defined and punished feminicide differently. The patchwork of laws has created gaps in prosecution and left victims’ families navigating inconsistent protections depending on where a crime occurred. The new framework aims to close those gaps by mandating gender-perspective investigation standards and reinforcing protections for children orphaned by feminicide.
BC Pledges Local Legislation to Match Federal Standards
The president of Baja California’s state congress pledged to introduce complementary local legislation once the federal law is officially published. That move would align BC’s existing statutes with the new national floor.
Baja California already has some of Mexico’s stricter feminicide provisions. In January 2024, the state congress unanimously approved a reform making feminicide a crime that does not prescribe, or expire under statutes of limitations. That same reform raised the minimum sentence for feminicide to 40 years and established 10 aggravating factors, including cases involving minors, elderly women, women with disabilities, and indigenous women. Those existing BC provisions could serve as a benchmark for the national standard.
National Data Shows Urgency Behind Reform
A Movimiento Ciudadano lawmaker cited federal data during the debate showing 725 feminicide investigations opened nationally in 2025. An additional 54 cases were recorded in the first quarter of 2026 alone, a pace that would exceed the prior year’s total if sustained.
The constitutional amendment requires approval from a majority of Mexico’s 32 state legislatures before it can take effect. Baja California’s unanimous vote adds the state to the list of those backing the reform. Once enough states ratify the amendment, the federal congress will draft the specific uniform penal code governing feminicide investigations, sentencing, and victim protections nationwide.
The vote was first reported by La Jornada BC.