The status of the next of kin has been referred to an extraordinary parliamentary committee. KPH: This is a good direction, but expectations are higher

On Friday, February 13th, MPs decided to refer the bill for further consideration to a special parliamentary committee, appointed at the request of the Polish People’s Party (PSL). This is the first government bill recognizing the existence of same-sex relationships to gain the support of a parliamentary majority

The bill submitted to the vote replaced the government’s earlier proposal for a law on civil partnerships. KPH, along with other organizations, repeatedly pointed out that the first proposal provided very little security for partners in same-sex relationships. Particularly disturbingly, the government completely ignored the issue of the approximately 50,000 children raised by same-sex couples. This specifically concerns the continued care of the social parent for children in the event of the death of their biological parent.

Unfortunately, the bill just passed in its first reading is even more limited – submitting declarations at the Civil Registry Office has replaced the signing of a notarial deed, and there is no statutory inheritance. The bill only addresses basic security issues, such as exemption from inheritance and gift tax, the existence of optional joint property partnerships, joint taxation, and health insurance coverage.

We already said with the government’s draft bill on civil partnerships that it was a bare minimum. The proposal approved today is even less – the dignity and safety of rainbow families have once again become a political game, and civil society has been completely excluded from the work on this bill. That’s why we will be pushing for changes to this bill in parliamentary committees”  – says Przemek Walas, Advocacy Manager in KPH.

This law doesn’t fully address the needs of LGBT+ people in relationships. However, it does offer the basic security that many couples in Poland need every day.

It is good that the government continues to work in this area, and today’s vote is another milestone on the way to legal recognition of same-sex unions, adds Przemek Walas.

In the coming weeks, the draft law on the status of the closest person in a relationship and on cohabitation agreements will be further reviewed by a special committee appointed for this purpose. KPH will participate in the committee’s work to ensure the legislative process moves as quickly as possible and to ensure that any amendments submitted during the process deliver the best possible results for all informal relationships, regardless of the partners’ gender.