Dominican Republic ratchets maximum prison term to 60 years

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic’s Chamber of Deputies on Tues. approved the new Penal Code in two consecutive roll calls, and now goes to the Senate which is expected to approve it.

On Tues. morning, the Senate had announced public hearings starting April 29, the same for the Civil Code for April 22.

The Penal Code provides for concurrent sentences of up to 60 years in prison; raises the maximum penalty from 30 to 40 years and punishes femicide with 40 years in prison.

The lawmakers voted unanimously in a first session with 126 votes and 129 votes in the second.