A key committee in Brazil's Chamber of Deputies approved a constitutional amendment on Wednesday to reduce the age of criminal responsibility from 18 to 16, passing 44 votes to 18. The proposal, first introduced a decade ago, must still clear a temporary special committee, two rounds of full chamber votes requiring a three-fifths majority, and the Senate before becoming law. The measure has resurfaced ahead of October general elections, drawing opposition from President Lula and his human rights ministry, while polling shows roughly 90% of Brazilians support the change.