site.btaFirst-reading Revisions to Penal Code Increase Penalties for Sexual Offences against Children, Criminalize Illegal Dumping

Parliament Thursday adopted four of the five bills proposing amendments to the Penal Code at first reading, while one was rejected. The approved changes criminalize the disposal of household and construction waste in unauthorized locations, increase penalties for sexual offences against children, and stipulate that the statute of limitations for prosecuting crimes against under-14s and under-18s begins when they reach the age of majority.

One of the adopted bills was submitted by MPs from GERB–UDF. It provides for the criminalization of the disposal of large quantities of household, construction or industrial waste in unauthorized places if this creates a danger to human health or life.

Another approved bill, submitted by the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) – New Beginning, envisages a significant increase in penalties for all sexual offences against children, including both under-14s and under-18s as defined in the Penal Code. Under the proposal, distributing pornographic material would be punishable by one to five years in prison, instead of the current penalty of up to one year. The fine would also increase from BGN 1,000–3,000 to BGN 1,000–10,000. MRF - New Beginning Deputy Floor Leader Hamid Hamid said the tougher penalties are intended to ensure that sex offenders remain in prison for longer.

Two of the approved bills were submitted by the Zhelyazkov Cabinet. One aims to address contradictions and shortcomings in criminal law identified by the Constitutional Court and to fill a legal gap concerning the seizure of motor vehicles used to commit crimes when the vehicle is not owned by the perpetrator. In such cases, the proposal envisages that the offender would be required to pay the equivalent value of the vehicle.

The second government bill aims to strengthen the protection of those who have not reached the age of majority. It proposes that the statute of limitations for prosecuting crimes against under 14-s and under 18-s should begin when the victim reaches the age of majority, rather than on the date the crime was committed.

MPs rejected at first reading a bill proposed by Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria Deputy Floor Leader Bozhidar Bozhanov. The bill sought to criminalize confirming false statements or concealing the truth before a notary public, imposing a penalty of up to five years in prison, similar to perjury in court.