Senate Approves Facial Recognition Clause, Sends Bill Back to Majilis

The Senate has returned the draft law on improving law enforcement service to the Majilis after making several amendments, Orda.kz reports.

While senators agreed with a number of the proposed changes, the bill as a whole was not approved and must now undergo further review.

One of the key provisions retained in the bill is a ban on wearing clothing in public that obscures the face, except in cases related to health, weather, or job requirements.

The law on crime prevention introduces a norm prohibiting the wearing of clothing in public places that prevents facial recognition, with the exception of medical purposes, weather conditions, and the performance of official or work duties. This measure increases the effectiveness of crime prevention in public places by improving the ability to recognize faces,
 said Senator Nauryzbay Baikadamov during the plenary session.

The article on industrial hemp cultivation remained unchanged.

Other retained provisions include structural changes to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Specifically, the local police service will be replaced by new departments for public safety prevention.

Baikadamov also outlined several additional measures included in the law:

• Expanding the powers of internal affairs bodies to reduce dual citizenship and simplify the renunciation of citizenship
  
• Introducing voluntary fingerprinting and genomic registration, with clear legal definitions for identity verification
  
• Establishing safeguards for fingerprint and vein pattern data, and defining who is exempt from registration

Senators also revised the section dealing with housing benefits for law enforcement employees. They clarified that the maximum allowable area for housing payments will be determined by government-approved housing rules, rather than a fixed ceiling of 90 square meters.

Once the updated draft is adopted by the Majilis, it will be sent to the President for final approval.

Original Author: Zhadra Zhulmukhametova