On May 22, 2026, a high-profile draft law No. 15266 was registered in the Verkhovna Rada. This document proposes a large-scale, comprehensive reform—in particular, of criminal and administrative legislation—with the sole aim of building a reliable shield around the sexual freedom and integrity of Ukrainian children.

The initiative will finally bring Ukrainian realities into line with European standards—specifically, the requirements of the Council of Europe and the well-known Lanzarote Convention.

What exactly is the legislature proposing, and why will this document affect not only criminals but also, in particular, every school and kindergarten director?

1. The “Pedophile” Registry and a Personnel Revolution

Until now, the Unified Registry of Persons Convicted of Crimes Against the Sexual Freedom and Sexual Integrity of Minors has functioned primarily as a closed tool for law enforcement, and the mechanism for preventing such individuals from being hired was vague. Bill No. 15266 transforms it into a strict hiring filter.

• Mandatory “screening”: Heads of educational institutions, healthcare facilities, social services, and any organizations working with children are required to check candidates against the registry before hiring them.
• Regular “audit”: The screening becomes a recurring process—it must be conducted every 3 years for all current staff.
• Humane Exception: In accordance with juvenile justice standards, individuals who were minors at the time of the offense will not be included in the registry.

2. Penalty for the Director: Administrative Liability

The legislature recognizes that the law will not be effective without penalties for disregarding the rules. Therefore, if this bill is enacted, the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses may be amended to include provisions establishing liability for officials (Article 188-58 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses). In other words, if the head of a club, school, or hospital hires someone without checking the specified registry, they will face a fine.

3. Criminal Provisions: Criminal Liability for Allowing Individuals to Work with Children Without Proper Screening

The draft law proposes to criminalize (Article 367-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) official negligence on the part of heads of children’s, medical, and educational institutions regarding staff vetting. If a head fails to check an employee against the relevant registry, and that employee subsequently commits a sexual offense against a child at the institution, the director faces a fine or restriction of liberty for up to three years, along with disqualification from holding certain positions or engaging in certain activities for a period of up to three years.

In addition, the bill’s sponsors rightly propose to significantly increase prison terms for the rape of a minor (from twelve to fifteen years or life imprisonment).

4. Risk Area: An Analytical Look at the Bill’s Weaknesses

Despite its undeniable progressiveness, analysts and the legal community should pay attention to several critical nuances that could complicate the law’s implementation:

• Bureaucratic Burden on the System: The mandatory screening of millions of teachers, educators, nannies, medical professionals, and social workers every three years will place a colossal burden on the registry administrator and the National Police. The technical infrastructure must be flawless to avoid disrupting personnel processes.
• The human factor and the private sector: While public schools are easier to monitor, private children’s playrooms, private tutors, and extracurricular clubs often fall into a “gray area.” This draft law lacks a mechanism for monitoring them.

Conclusion

Bill No. 15266 is a long-overdue but critically necessary step for Ukraine. The state is shifting from a “investigate and punish” approach to a “prevent the abuser from reaching the child” approach. The success of this reform will depend on whether the government can ensure rapid digital access to the registry and whether the verification process will become just another formality.