Santa Fe's Chamber of Deputies gave preliminary approval to Maximiliano Pullaro's security reform by 37 votes to 11. The result followed intense negotiations between the UCR and Socialists within Unidos, along with executive participation and observations from the provincial Supreme Court. The Senate-bound text retains tougher tools but removes several provisions that threatened constitutional safeguards.
The most visible change was eliminating special police intervention zones. The original bill allowed areas with access controls, vehicle searches, movement restrictions and delays of up to 48 hours for identification. Removing them avoids broad territorial spaces with extraordinary police powers.
Police questioning without legal counsel was also removed. Prosecutors may receive informational statements under stronger safeguards, but those statements cannot be used as incriminating evidence. The distinction protects people from becoming sources of self-incrimination without defense.
Trials in absentia require judicial authorization, defense counsel, a prior victim hearing and audiovisual recording. Private prosecutors may participate in charging hearings, ask questions and provide material. Victim participation expands, but must not undermine prosecutorial objectivity or the presumption of innocence.
The bill keeps nine cases of warrantless searches, adding automatic judicial review within 24 hours for the broadest grounds. It also retains powers to deactivate properties used for illegal activity through eviction, blocking, dismantling or demolition, subject to review.
An aggravated prison regime remains for inmates considered serious threats, including individual isolation and suspension of visits or communications under judicial review. Security restrictions cannot override the ban on cruel treatment or the need to monitor duration and health effects.
Intelligence activities substantially affecting privacy require judicial authorization, and prevention is distinguished from criminal investigation. This matters because data-driven security must avoid parallel databases, political surveillance and indiscriminate collection.
The Senate must now review the balance. The government obtained tools against complex crime, while the lower house showed that effectiveness and rights need not conflict. Final legislation should require public reports, search audits, prison-measure statistics and intelligence oversight.
