The Baja California Sur state Congress approved a reform to the state penal code that increases criminal penalties for physical assaults against education workers and creates a new offense for filing false complaints aimed at damaging a teacher’s career.
The XVII Legislature voted to add Article 136 bis to the penal code, raising the penalty tier for the crime of “lesiones” (bodily harm) when committed against teachers, administrators, or support staff while they are performing their duties. A second provision targets individuals who make false statements to authorities with the intent of harming an educator’s reputation or employment status.
Rising Attacks Drive Reform
Legislators cited a documented increase in physical, verbal, and psychological attacks against teachers across Baja California Sur as the main reason for the reform. The initiative was brought forward by the Permanent Commission on Constitutional Issues and Justice.
Deputy Lourdes Cornejo Rendón, who also serves as vice president of the chamber’s leadership board, called protecting teachers “fundamental to strengthening education and public institutions.” Deputy Martín Escogido said educators have been demanding guarantees that allow them to do their jobs safely.
What the New Law Changes
Before the reform, an assault on a teacher was treated the same as any other assault under BCS criminal law. Article 136 bis now creates a specific aggravating circumstance when the victim is an education worker on duty, which triggers higher sentences.
The false-complaint provision is a separate addition. It targets parents or other individuals who file fabricated accusations against school staff with the goal of getting them fired or criminally charged. Under the new language, such bad-faith filings carry their own criminal penalties rather than being treated as simple administrative matters.
The BCS Congress is a unicameral body of 21 deputies seated in La Paz. The current XVII Legislature is dominated by Morena with nine seats, followed by the Labor Party (PT) with seven. The reform passed with support from multiple parties, according to reporting from Peninsular Digital.
Broader Education Agenda
The teacher-protection vote came during a legislative session that has focused heavily on education policy. Earlier in May, the same Congress received a separate initiative aimed at guaranteeing inclusive education for students with disabilities, which was sent to committee for review on May 6.
Legislators said the penal code changes are meant to guarantee “conditions of respect, security, and protection” for everyone who works in educational institutions across the state. The reform takes effect once it is published in the state’s official gazette.
First reported by BCS Noticias and Peninsular Digital.