-U26752712352XtB-1440x752@IlSole24Ore-Web.jpeg?r=672x351 "Italy Extends Shield Law, Parliament Prepares Reform")
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Italian Healthcare Worker Legal Shield Extended, reform Looming
The legal protection afforded to healthcare workers in Italy has been extended for another year, thru December 31, 2026. this extension is formalized in the “Decreto Legge Milleproroghe” (200/2025), which came into effect on December 31, 2025.Though, this extension coincides with ongoing efforts to implement a comprehensive reform of healthcare professional liability, encompassing both criminal and civil aspects.
Understanding the Legal Shield
The ”scudo penale” (penal shield) provides a degree of legal protection for healthcare workers in cases of unintentional harm to patients. It aims to balance the need to protect patients with the need to allow medical professionals to practice without undue fear of legal repercussions for errors made in good faith while providing care. The shield doesn’t offer absolute immunity,
