The Council of Ministers approved the new Security Bill: more protections for journalists, a crackdown on illegal occupations and child gangs.

The government approved a bill with new measures on urban security, prevention of youth hardship, police forces, confiscation of mafia assets, and international cooperation. Criminal protection for journalists and newspaper editors has also been strengthened.

The Council of Ministers, meeting on July 14, 2026, at Palazzo Chigi under the presidency of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni , approved a comprehensive package of measures addressing public safety, the prevention of youth hardship, the fight against organized crime, international cooperation, and the organization of police forces. The meeting, which began at 6:05 PM and ended at 6:26 PM, also addressed issues concerning Civil Protection, healthcare, Consob, the Court of Auditors, and numerous regional laws.

New Security Bill: New tools to combat child gangs and violent groups

The main measure approved by the Government is the bill on youth safety and prevention of disadvantage , examined under an urgent procedure at the proposal of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni together with ministers Matteo Piantedosi, Carlo Nordio, Guido Crosetto, Giancarlo Giorgetti and Eugenia Roccella.

Among the main innovations is the introduction of a new preventive tool designed to combat urban violence and criminal gangs.

The police commissioner may issue an oral warning accompanied by a ban on gatherings when at least five people engage in intimidating, violent, or seriously harassing behavior in public places or places open to the public, against individuals who have already been subject to preventive measures in the last five years or have been convicted, even with a non-final sentence, of crimes against the person or property committed in a public place.

More powers for the police forces for preventive identification

The bill also expands the possibility of escorting and detaining individuals at police stations for identification purposes during operations aimed at preventing crimes that could compromise public order.

The measure will concern individuals deemed to be concretely dangerous on the basis of objective elements, such as:

• possession of dangerous objects;
• previous convictions for crimes against the person;
• crimes against property;
• drug trafficking;
• weapons crimes.

The stated objective is to strengthen preventive tools in areas characterized by high population density.

More protection for journalists and newspaper editors

One of the most interesting developments concerns the strengthening of criminal protection for information operators.

The Government is in fact introducing a new aggravating circumstance common to all intentional crimes against:

• life;
• personal safety;
• moral freedom;

when committed against journalists in the exercise of their profession or because of journalistic activity , as well as against newspaper editors.

This is a measure that recognizes the particular constitutional importance of freedom of the press and journalistic activity.

Unauthorized occupations: faster evictions

The Government is also addressing the phenomenon of illegal occupations.

The accelerated procedure that allows law enforcement to quickly vacate an occupied property has in fact been extended to all cases of arbitrary occupation , overcoming the current limit which reserved it exclusively to the owner's primary residence.

Arrest postponed for group damage

The new text also introduces a specific aggravating circumstance for damage committed by at least five people gathered together , also allowing the application of deferred arrest in flagrante delicto , a tool already used in other public order contexts.

Stop compensation for those injured while committing serious crimes

The new legislation is also important on a civil law level.

The bill establishes that anyone who suffers harm caused by the victim during the commission of certain serious crimes will not be entitled to compensation for damages .

The rule concerns, among others:

• sexual violence;
• burglary;
• robbery;
• kidnapping for the purpose of extortion.

Injuries to officers: ex officio prosecution

Furthermore, the crime of minor personal injury committed against judicial police or public security officers and agents becomes prosecutable ex officio , strengthening the protection of law enforcement members.

Preventing Youth Discomfort: The Educational Alliance Network Is Born

Ample space is also dedicated to prevention policies.

The Government is establishing a territorial network of educational alliances , part of the Family Centres and implemented in collaboration with schools, local authorities and territorial entities.

The aim is to counteract:

• educational poverty;
• social marginalization;
• youth discomfort.

Specific projects to support families in their educational role will also be promoted.

More men, drones and controls for the police forces

On the operational front, the measure provides:

• strengthening of State Police presence;
• increased surveillance of the coasts;
• regulation of the use of drones;
• new measures against illegal activities in railway areas;
• interventions on competitive exam paths and staff careers;
• new welfare benefits and rewards for members of the police force.

Green light for the implementation of the EU directive on the confiscation of criminal assets.

The Council of Ministers also approved, under preliminary examination, the legislative decree implementing EU Directive 2024/1260 on the recovery and confiscation of assets from organized crime.

Among the main new features:

• strengthening the confiscation of the proceeds of crime;
• confiscation of capital goods as an equivalent;
• possibility of confiscating assets transferred to knowing third parties;
• extension of the extended confiscation to new crimes, including certain computer crimes;
• introduction of the requirement of temporal correlation between assets and criminal activity.

Specific rules for the seizure of cryptocurrencies are coming

For the first time, the decree regulates in detail the seizure and confiscation of:

• cryptocurrencies;
• crypto-assets;
• private cryptographic keys.

The seized digital assets will be stored at a dedicated service established within the Single Justice Fund , ensuring full control by the State.

Italy-Senegal Security Agreement

The green light was also given to the bill ratifying the agreement signed in Dakar on 29 October 2025 between Italy and Senegal.

The agreement strengthens cooperation between the police forces of the two countries in the fight against:

• transnational organized crime;
• terrorism;
• irregular immigration;
• cybercrime.

The plan includes information exchange, joint investigative teams, mutual assistance, and a Joint Strategic Cooperation Committee.

Bad weather emergency in Lazio

The Government has declared a twelve-month state of emergency following the exceptional weather events that hit the province of Frosinone and the Metropolitan City of Rome in January and February 2026.

€3,2 million has been allocated from the National Emergency Fund for the initial interventions.

Castellammare di Stabia Municipality Dissolved Due to Mafia Infiltration

Among the decisions adopted is the dissolution of the Municipal Council of Castellammare di Stabia (Naples) due to proven influence by organized crime.

At the same time, the administration of the following municipalities is extended by six months:

• Poggiomarino (Naples);
• Tremestieri Etneo (Catania);
• San Luca (Reggio Calabria).

Appointments: Guido Stazi nears presidency of Consob

The Council of Ministers has also initiated the procedure for the nomination of Dr. Guido Stazi as president of CONSOB.

Several promotions to the top ranks of the Armed Forces and the Guardia di Finanza were also approved, as was Fiorenzo Sirianni's reappointment as Head of the Department of Tax Justice.