Poland Plans to Legalize Begging: Fines of 1,500 Zlotys Will Be Removed from the Law
In Poland, there is a proposal to reconsider the approach to begging and to abandon punishment for people who ask for alms in public places. The relevant bill has already been submitted to the Sejm. Its authors believe that the current regulations are outdated and do not help combat homelessness; on the contrary, they may complicate people's exit from crisis life situations.
Poland proposes to abolish liability for begging
A bill has been introduced to the Polish Sejm that provides for the abolition of punishment for begging. Although this idea has been discussed for several years and has the support of part of the human rights community, it continues to provoke debates in society.
Currently, Polish legislation provides liability for a person who, having means of subsistence or being able to work, engages in begging in a public place. For such an offense, a fine of up to 1,500 zlotys, restriction of liberty, or reprimand may be imposed.
It is this provision that is proposed to be excluded from the Code of Petty Offenses.
Why the law is proposed to be changed
The initiative is supported by an interparty parliamentary group dealing with homelessness issues.
Supporters of the changes emphasize that the current provision is outdated and lacks a clear practical purpose. They note that for some people who find themselves homeless, begging remains one of the ways to survive. At the same time, imposing fines or other punishments only worsens their situation and does not contribute to their return to normal life.
Attention is also drawn to the ambiguity of the current legislation. In particular, it is practically difficult to objectively determine whether a person has sufficient means of subsistence or is capable of working.
What prohibitions will remain
At the same time, the bill does not provide for the complete decriminalization of begging.
According to the proposal, only the provision on liability for begging by persons who have means of subsistence or can work is planned to be removed from the legislation.
Instead, the Code of Petty Offenses will retain provisions prohibiting:
- persistent begging;
- begging by deception;
- using children for begging.
Thus, Poland wants to abandon punishment for the mere fact of begging while maintaining liability for actions that may have signs of coercion, deception, or exploitation.
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