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What exactly does the amendment say?

This is not about criminalizing parenting, but about setting a boundary

The new wording of the law does not mean that every parent will be automatically sanctioned for raising their voice or holding a child more firmly. The purpose is not to suppress parental authority, but to highlight the boundary between upbringing and violence.

The law does not address criminal liability – that remains the subject of other legal regulations. The amendment is more preventive and value-based in nature: it makes it clear that physical or humiliating methods have no place in parenting and that a parent is obliged to find other ways to guide their child.

Consequences for parental responsibility

Although the amendment does not have a direct sanctioning regime, the use of unacceptable parenting methods can have consequences in guardianship proceedings. If it is proven that a parent repeatedly corporally punishes, humiliates, or otherwise causes mental harm to a child, the following may occur:

• the scope of their care for the child may be limited,

• and in extreme cases, the exercise of parental responsibility may be suspended or the parent may be completely deprived of this responsibility.

The decision to limit care will always depend on the specific circumstances – the intensity and frequency of the inappropriate behaviour, the child's age and needs, and the overall context of the situation. A court will intervene only when it is necessary to protect the child and the situation cannot be resolved by milder means.

Violence-free parenting as a basic norm

The amendment moves Czech law towards the European standard, where violence-free parenting is not just a recommendation but a legal requirement. The ban on corporal punishment is now a common part of the legal systems of most member states of the Council of Europe, and with this step, the Czech Republic joins the countries that emphasize respect for the child as an independent human being.

The change is not only legal but also symbolic and preventive – clearly defining what is no longer acceptable influences the approach of families, schools, and social services.

Summary

From January 2026, the law will explicitly prohibit corporal and humiliating punishment in parenting. Parents and other caregivers will have a clear legal boundary beyond which it is no longer possible to speak of "parenting" – but of inappropriate treatment of a child.

The amendment does not weaken parental authority in any way, but rather shifts it from physical punishment to responsible guidance, consistency, and mutual respect. Violation of these rules will not be automatically punished, but it may be a reason for intervention in the exercise of parental responsibility if the child is being harmed.

The law thus not only protects the child but also promotes a modern approach to parenting based on dialogue, respect, and safety.