‘Valerie’s Law’ will remove guardianship rights for child murder convictions

The Cabinet is set to approve legislation that strips guardianship rights from people convicted of murdering or manslaughtering a child’s other parent, with court deadlines and retrospective effect.

A high-stakes guardianship change is being pushed through Government, with “Valerie’s Law” set to target the legal rights of certain murder and manslaughter convictions.

At Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan will seek approval for the Guardianship of Infants (Amendment) Bill 2026. The proposal would remove guardianship rights from anyone convicted of the murder or manslaughter of a partner, or the other parent of their child.

Valerie’s Law would also require Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to act within a set timeframe, applying to the District Court within six months of the conviction.

If the court grants an order, it can either limit the convicted person’s powers and duties as a guardian or remove them entirely. The change would take effect once an alternative arrangement is in place, such as a care order or the child having another guardian.

In this context, the timeline and court process are designed to prevent guardianship decisions from dragging on after a serious conviction, while still relying on a formal order before rights are curtailed.

The bill is also set to apply retrospectively to cases that occurred before the legislation was introduced. For families navigating the aftermath of a conviction, that could mean existing arrangements are reconsidered under the new rules.

Mr O’Callaghan described the measure as a priority since taking office, framing it as a reflection of the seriousness of the offences. He said the legislation is intended to uphold the welfare and protection of children.

This is about the principle that the most serious criminal convictions should not automatically translate into continued legal authority over children, a point that sits at the centre of the policy shift.

The proposal will be known as Valerie’s Law, named in honour of Valerie French, according to the minister. If approved, it would create a clear pathway for removing guardianship rights after specific convictions, with the child’s situation handled through court-ordered alternatives.