Goa Passes Bill to Drop 'Leprosy' References From Child Protection Law
The Goa Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed the Goa Children's (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to remove all references to "leprosy" from the state's child protection legislation. The move is aimed at eliminating the social stigma and discrimination faced by people affected by the disease, aligning the law with a recent Supreme Court directive.
State Women and Child Development Minister Vishwajit Rane introduced the Bill, which amends the Goa Children's Act, 2003. The House passed it by voice vote after a brief discussion. The amendment now awaits the Governor's assent to come into force.
According to the Bill's statement of objects and reasons, the changes are in line with a Supreme Court order dated May 7, 2025. The apex court had directed all states to review laws that classify leprosy as a basis for disqualification or discrimination, recognising that medical science has made leprosy a fully curable disease and that stigmatising provisions violate constitutional guarantees of equality and dignity.
The amendment deletes the word "leprosy" from two sections of the parent Act. In Section 2, which deals with definitions, the earlier provision listed leprosy alongside HIV as a condition carrying social stigma. That reference is now being removed. Similarly, Section 5, which relates to health and nutrition, is being revised to delete the mention of leprosy. The section currently prohibits healthcare facilities from denying treatment to children or pregnant women suffering from conditions associated with social stigma.
The change is significant given the historical mistreatment of people with leprosy. For decades, leprosy was wrongly considered highly contagious and incurable, leading to isolation and exclusion. However, multidrug therapy has existed since the 1980s and is highly effective in curing the disease. Despite this, social prejudice persists in many parts of India. The government has also been working to repeal outdated laws that discriminate against those affected by leprosy, including provisions in marriage, divorce, and employment law.
The Goa Children's Act, 2003, is a progressive legislation that protects children from abuse, neglect, and other violations. Removing "leprosy" as a ground for stigmatised illness ensures that children and pregnant women living with the disease are not denied care or treated unfairly in medical settings. The Bill has no financial implications and does not involve any delegated legislation, according to the state government. Once the Governor approves it, the amendment will take effect immediately.
Activists and public health experts have welcomed the move, saying it reinforces India's commitment to ending leprosy-related discrimination and brings state law in conformity with national and international human rights norms. The World Health Organization has set a target of zero leprosy-related stigma and discrimination by 2030, and legislative changes such as this are seen as crucial steps toward achieving that goal.
