Law on the Implementation of Child Care Centers and Childcare Facilities to Support Working Mothers
Congreso Nacional
- Decree: 33-2025
- Published: January 23, 2026
- Issuing body: Congreso Nacional
- Gazette: 37,051
- Category: Labor
Summary
This law requires Honduras to create daycare centers and childcare facilities so working mothers can work while their children receive quality care. SENAF leads the program with support from municipalities and other institutions, prioritizing poor areas and communities with few childcare options. Standards include safety, trained staff, and nutrition.
Considerations
Whereas the Constitution of the Republic establishes in Article 59: "The human person is the supreme end of Society and the State. Everyone has the obligation to respect and protect it. The dignity of the human being is inviolable".
Whereas the Constitution of the Republic establishes in Article 119: "The State has the obligation to protect childhood. Children shall enjoy the protection provided for in the International Agreements that safeguard their rights. The laws for the protection of childhood are of public order and the official establishments designated for such purpose have the character of social assistance centers"; guaranteeing the adoption of the international instruments that safeguard their Human Rights.
Whereas from September 4 to 7 of the year 2022, the National Children's Congress (CNI) was celebrated and held in the facilities of the National Congress of the Republic, as a civic event of cultural, educational, and democratic exchange in the legislative sphere for the Honduran child population, where the Child Congresspeople presented legislative initiatives in accordance with the needs of each of the eighteen (18) Departments Represented, by virtue of which this Branch of State adheres to and follows the project presented by the Child Congressperson or Congresspeople.
Whereas the State must provide the appropriate mechanisms to provide primary attention to children and thus guarantee the Best Interest of the Child.
Whereas in accordance with Article 205 Attribution 1) of the Constitution of the Republic, it is the power of the National Congress to: Create, decree, interpret, reform, and repeal laws.
Whereas in accordance with what is stipulated in Article 351 of the Constitution of the Republic, it is provided that the national tax system shall be governed by the principles of legality, proportionality, generality, equity, and economic capacity of the taxpayer.
Whereas Article 195 numeral 1 of the Tax Code creates the Tax Administration as a decentralized entity of the Presidency of the Republic, with functional, technical, administrative, and national security autonomy, with its own legal personality, responsible for the control, verification, supervision, and collection of taxes, with authority and competence at the national level and with domicile in the capital of the Republic. Likewise, by means of Executive Agreement Number 01-2017 dated January 2 of the year two thousand seventeen (2017), the Tax Administration of the State of Honduras is designated as TAX REVENUE ADMINISTRATION SERVICE, or with its abbreviations "SAR".
Whereas Article 198 numeral 12 of the Tax Code grants the Tax Administration the power to approve Agreements for the efficient application of...
Articles
OBJECT OF THE LAW. The purpose of this Law is to guarantee the implementation of accessible and quality Child Care Centers and Child Care Facilities throughout the national territory, with the purpose of supporting working mothers, facilitating their access to the labor market, contributing to the integral development of children and promoting co-responsibility between the State, the family and the community.
GOVERNANCE AND INSTITUTIONAL COORDINATION. The State Secretariat of the Offices of Childhood, Adolescence and Family (SENAF) is the governing institution of this Program, with direct support from:
- 1)
Municipalities, especially those where priority needs are identified;
- 2)
The State Secretariat of the Office of Social Development (SEDESOL);
- 3)
The State Secretariat of the Office of Health (SESAL), to guarantee medical care and wellness services in daycare centers and child care facilities;
- 4)
The State Secretariat of the Office of Education (SEDUC), to ensure the implementation of initial educational programs appropriate to the ages of minors; and,
- 5)
Local philanthropic organizations and international cooperation entities, who may provide technical, financial and human resources assistance.
SELECTION AND PRIORITIZATION CRITERIA. The implementation of the Program must prioritize:
- 1)
Areas with higher rates of poverty and vulnerability;
- 2)
Municipalities with a high percentage of working mothers and with limited supply of child care services; and,
- 3)
Communities that demonstrate social institutional capacity to support the development of the Program.
QUALITY STANDARDS. The State Secretariat of the Offices of Childhood, Adolescence and Family (SENAF) must establish minimum standards for the operation of Child Care Centers and Child Care Facilities, including:
- 1)
Physical and emotional safety for children;
- 2)
Adequate spaces for learning, play and rest;
- 3)
Personnel trained in child care and development; and,
- 4)
Access to nutritious food and basic medical care.
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION. Active participation of families and communities must be promoted in the management, supervision and sustainability of Child Care Centers and Child Care Facilities, promoting a co-responsibility approach in child care.
BUDGET LINE. Public institutions involved must include in their annual budgets a specific line item intended for the financing of Child Care Centers and Child Care Facilities, ensuring the sustainability of the Program.
REGULATORY AUTHORITY. Within Ninety (90) days from the date this Law enters into force, the State Secretariat of the Offices of Childhood, Adolescence and Family (SENAF), with the assistance of international organizations in an advisory capacity, as well as other actors that may be invited, shall proceed to draft and issue the Regulations of this Law.
EFFECTIVE DATE. This Decree shall enter into force as of the date of its publication in the Official Gazette "La Gaceta".
Related laws
- Decreto Legislativo No. 33-2025 — Ley de Implementación de Centros de Cuidados Infantiles y Estancias Infantiles para Apoyar a Madres Trabajadoras (Decree 33-2025, 2026)
- Law on the Implementation of Care Centers — This law requires Honduras to create childcare centers to support working mothers and help them access employment. The State, municipalities, and organizations must establish daycare facilities with quality standards in poor and vulnerable areas, ensuring safety, early education, and medical care for children. (Decree 33-2025, 2026)
- Law for the Implementation of Child Care Centers and Child Care Facilities to Support Working Mothers — This law mandates the creation of childcare centers and daycare facilities throughout Honduras so working mothers can work while their children receive quality care. The State, municipalities, and organizations must work together to establish these centers, prioritizing poor areas and guaranteeing safety, trained staff, and nutritious meals. (Decree 33-2025, 2026)
- Decreto Ejecutivo — Aprobación del Contrato de Concesión para la Implementación de la Ventanilla Electrónica de Comercio Exterior de Honduras (VECEH) — This decree creates a permanent technical commission made up of multiple public institutions to formulate and implement a national plan to prevent and control chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. The commission will coordinate actions among different ministries, establish information campaigns, and ensure that annual budgets and goals are allocated to combat these diseases that affect Honduras' health and economy.
- Gaceta No.34,219 del 22 de diciembre 2016 - Decreto Ejecutivo Número PCM-080-2016; DECRETA - Artículo 1.- Priorizar la contratación y desarrollo, por parte de la Comisión para la Promoción de la Alianza Público Privada (COALIANZA), de la consultoría de servicios profesionales para el diseño, estructuración e implementación de operaciones financieras para el desarrollo de Honduras de Proyectos de Alianzas Público Privadas (APP), en sus distintas modalidades e implementación del Fideicomiso de Reserva y Amortización de Pagos y del Fideicomiso de Emisiones y Captaciones de Recursos, como uno de los programas sujetos a financiación de los fondos asignados por el Fideicomiso de Inversiones y Asignaciones (FINA), constituido en el Banco Nacional de Desarrollo Agrícola (BANADESA). — This decree authorizes COALIANZA to hire specialized professional services to design and structure Public-Private Partnership financial operations in Honduras. The Investment Trust Fund (FINA) at BANADESA will finance this consulting with up to 3 million dollars for structuring, plus placement commissions based on established amounts.