Mexico City’s Repeal of Article Three of the Transitory Provisions of the Decree on Gender and Violence – Free Life for Women

The purpose of this note is to inform you that, on April 10^th, 2026, a decree was published in the Official Gazette of Mexico City, whereby the Congress of Mexico City repealed Article Three of the Transitory Provisions of the Decree amending the Penal Code for the Federal District (the “Mexico City Penal Code”) and the Civic Culture Law, originally published on December 24^th, 2025. This decree entered into force the next day: April 11^th, 2026.

Background

On December 24^th, 2025, a decree was published in the Official Gazette of Mexico City amending and supplementing various provisions of the Mexico City Penal Code and amending the Civic Culture Law, in the subjects of gender and access to a life free of violence for women. Such decree included four transitory provisions (First, Second, Third, and Fourth), of which the Third is now subject to repeal.

Practical Implications

The repeal of Article Three of the Transitory Provisions eliminates the specific provision established therein regarding the stages implementation or phased entry into force (or any other stipulation) of the December 2025 amending decree. The First, Second, and Fourth Transitory Provisions remain in full force and effect. It is advisable to review the specific content of the repealed Third Transitory Provision in order to determine whether any obligation, deadline, or special regime ceases to have effect as of April 11^th, 2026.

Companies, institutions, and individuals with obligations or procedures linked to the December 2025 decree should: (i) identify whether the Third Transitory Provision established any transitional regime applicable to their operations; (ii) verify that their compliance processes are aligned with the regulatory framework absent the repealed provision; and (iii) remain attentive to any official interpretation or guidance issued by the authorities of Mexico City regarding the scope of such repeal.

The repeal of Article Three of the Transitory Provisions does not affect the substantive content of the December 2025 decree; the amendments to the Criminal Code and the Civic Culture Law in matters of gender remain fully in force and effect. As of April 11t^th, 2026, any term, authorization, or special regime established by such provision is no longer legally effective, while the First, Second, and Fourth Transitory Provisions continue to apply without modification. It is recommended to verify whether the Third Transitory Provision granted any specific term or exception applicable to your operations and to remain attentive to any interpretative criteria that may be issued by local authorities.

Labor Implications

The repeal of that article removes a rule that clearly stated that ongoing criminal matters must be handled in accordance with the law in effect at the time of the events.

In the labor context, companies need to be careful about how they investigate and determine disciplinary actions. It is essential to thoroughly memorialize when the events occurred, which policy was in place, and why a particular decision was made.

When this is unclear, cases tend to weaken in labor court, even if the conduct occurred.

Finally, in cases of harassment, bullying, or violence, the risk to the company increases if there is no internal policy in place. The recommendation is simple: handle each case consistently, avoid ad-hoc decisions, and ensure that Human Resources’ actions align with the applicable legal framework, including the Federal Labor Law. This is not about reacting quickly, but about doing it right.