Laws which came into effect in 2014

From January 1, 2014, a number of new laws have come into effect. Here is a short list of the basic law changes.

New rules for police.

A new law outlining the basic principles of police work, its functions and police operations has come into effect. The law also covers legal form of police powers, the rules of working in the police, as well as social and legal guarantees of policemen and control of their activities.

This law was significantly revised during the Parliamentary hearing period. The suggestions of non-governmental organizations, such as the Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA), were reflected in the final version.

Georgian voters will elect Mayors, Governors and city councils.

This year is an election year and changes will take place in local self-government elections.Unlike the previous elections two years ago, more seats are vacant this year so political parties will try their best to gain maximum votes.

According to the planned reform in the self-government system, all Mayors and Governors will be elected directly. The population of Tbilisi, Batumi, Rustavi, Poti, Zugdidi, Ozurgeti, Ambrolauri, Telavi, Akhaltsikhe, Gori and Mtskheta will vote for Mayors and the residents of other places will choose Governors.

Speeding penalties decrease.

From January 1, a new bill to reduce speeding penalties has come into force. The new law will see the speeding penalty decrease from 100 GEL to 50 GEL and a fine of 500 GEL will decrease to 150 GEL.

The disqualification period for violating traffic rules or unpaid fines will also decrease. A one-year disqualification period will be reduced to six-months and a two-year disqualification period will be reduced to a one-year disqualification.

Increased maternity pay.

The number of days on maternity leave and maternity pay has increased.

According to the changes in the Labor Code, upon his own request the employee will be granted a 730-day leave for pregnancy, childbirth and child care. Out of these days, 183 will be paid and in the case of childbirth complications or twin births, the paid days will increase to 200.

Families of deceased military will be granted 500 GEL monthly compensations

From 2014, 500 GEL compensation will be granted each month to the families of the Defense Ministrys fallen servants of Georgia, according to amendments in the law of State Compensation and Academy Scholarship.

The compensation will be donated to the families of ISAF mission military participants who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Compensation will also be given to families of the soldiers who died for territorial integrity of Georgia in May 1998 and in August 2004. According to this law, the compensation is for fallen solders parents, wives, underage children and family members with disabilities.

From 2015, the compensation packages will increase to 1000 GEL.