Astana, March 18, the House of the Mazhilis. The Bureau of the Mazhilis, chaired by Yerlan Koshanov, has formed a draft agenda for the upcoming plenary session.

In the first reading, deputies are invited to consider the government bill "On combating human trafficking in the Republic of Kazakhstan", developed in implementation of the Decree of the Head of State "On further measures in the field of human rights" dated April 13, 2022. Accompanying bills introduce amendments to the codes "On Marriage (Matrimony) and Family", Criminal, Criminal Procedure, as well as the Law "On the Compensation Fund for Victims". In particular, the definition of human trafficking is being expanded within the framework of the Criminal Code, and the use of sexual services by minors is being criminalized. Amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences provide for liability for failure by officials of medical organizations and organizations for orphaned children and children left without parental care to inform about the fact of abandonment of a newborn. 

For discussion in the second reading, a bill developed by deputies on minimizing risks in lending and protecting the rights of borrowers is being introduced. It is aimed at creating conditions for reducing the debt burden of citizens and increasing the level of protection of the rights of consumers of financial services. During the preparation of the bill for the second reading, the Government supported a number of parliamentary amendments. In particular, to determine the maximum amount of the annual effective interest rate on bank loans and micro-loans, to impose a moratorium until 2026 on the assignment of rights to a collection agency (claims) under bank loan and micro-loan agreements of an individual not related to the conduct of entrepreneurial activity, to assign to the banking ombudsman the authority to consider disputes only on bank loans and the introduction of Institute of the Microfinance Ombudsman.

The agenda of the Mazhilis also includes bills on ratification of the Protocol with amendments to the Agreement with China on Legal Assistance in Civil and Criminal Matters dated January 14, 1993, as well as Senate amendments to the bill on health issues.

The press service of the Mazhilis - 74-63-05. Photo by J.Zhumabekova