In the context of the full-scale war that is ongoing in Ukraine, the issue of child protection has become critically important. Tens of thousands of children were left without adequate parental care or lost their families. At the same time, the state is forced to strengthen the mechanisms of control over those who are allowed to become adopters, guardians or adoptive parents. Ukrainian society can no longer afford mistakes – no child should be placed in an environment where there is a threat to his safety, health or moral development. That is why the Verkhovna Rada adopted draft law No. 10298, which significantly expands the list of persons deprived of the right to adopt children.
What the new bill changes
On April 25, 2025, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, with 252 votes in favor, supported draft law No. 10298, which provides for a number of restrictions in the field of adoption and guardianship. This was reported by a People’s Deputy, a member of the “Voice” faction Yaroslav Zheleznyak.
The authors of the document clearly indicate that its purpose is to protect children from possible upbringing in a dangerous environment – both physically and morally.
From now on, persons who:
– were convicted of treason;
– participated in collaborative activities;
– contributed by the Russian Federation;
– glorified the armed forces of the Russian Federation or publicly approved armed aggression against Ukraine.
Thus, the adoption of this draft law is one of the steps to clear the legal space from the risk that a child may be handed over for education to persons loyal to the enemy or even directly involved in crimes against Ukraine.
The law takes into account not only criminal offenses
Unlike the previous versions of the legislation, which focused mainly on convicted persons, the new law includes in the list of restrictions persons who were brought to administrative responsibility for domestic violence or violence committed on the basis of gender. This means that even if a person does not have a criminal record, but has been officially found guilty of domestic violence, he cannot be an adopter.
As stated in the explanatory note to the draft law, “there is a risk that the child will be transferred for upbringing to a person who has been subject to administrative penalties for committing domestic violence or gender-based violence. The state does not have the right to risk the life and health of a child by handing it over to an abuser.”
The law also extends similar prohibitions to persons seeking appointment as guardians, custodians or foster parents. It is important that the list of restrictions includes not only facts of collaboration or condemnation, but also ideological position: propaganda of violence, glorification of military aggression, public support of the Russian military, even without formal participation in war or crimes, are now sufficient grounds for a ban.
Why is this decision necessary?
The approved draft law is a response to public demand for strengthening the protection of children. In a country fighting for survival and redefining its values, there are things that cannot be compromised. Adoption is not a right, but a trust that the state delegates only to those who have proven their ability to care for a child without a dark past.
A person who collaborated with the occupiers, who beat a woman or a child, who praises the army of the aggressor country, has no moral or legal right to take responsibility for raising a child. The law closes these “windows of risk” and makes the child protection system more holistic, decisive and principled.
Draft Law No. 10298 must be signed by the President of Ukraine and officially published. After that, it will come into force. This means that all new adoption, guardianship or foster care cases will automatically be reviewed against the new restrictions. Processes that have not yet been completed at the time of the law’s entry into force may also be reviewed or terminated.
The adoption of this law is a step towards creating a safer and morally stable environment for Ukrainian children. It filters the environment around the child, excluding from it those who can carry an ideological, physical or psychological threat. In times of war, this is not just a rule of law, but a protective barrier behind which every child must stand.
