Tougher Penalties For Exploiting PWDs
Individuals who exploit children or adults with disabilities by forcing them into begging will face significantly harsher penalties following the passage of a new bill by the Parliament.
The Persons with Disabilities Bill, Senate Bill No. 7 of 2023, has introduced a fine of Sh2 million or two years in jail for such offenses.
The National Assembly approved the bill during a special session last Thursday, with amendments sponsored by the Committee on Social Protection further strengthening the penalties for those who abuse persons with disabilities.
The bill has put a substantial increase in fines for degrading treatment, whether through spoken or written words or signs. The fine has been raised from Sh200,000 to Sh1 million.
The bill also addresses issues within the healthcare sector. Medical practitioners who neglect persons with disabilities now face a Sh2 million fine or one year in prison.
The legislation further prohibits discrimination by health professionals and introduces severe penalties for unauthorized medical procedures that result in or are likely to result in infertility. Individuals performing such procedures could face a Sh3 million fine, one year in prison, or both.
Caregivers who facilitate or negligently fail to prevent these procedures could be fined up to Sh500,000, imprisoned for up to one year, or both.
Accessibility is another key focus of the bill. Registered owners of public service vehicles who modify their vehicles to accommodate persons with disabilities will be eligible to apply for a 25% reimbursement of the modification costs from the Cabinet Secretary responsible for finance.
Furthermore, the bill prohibits denying persons with disabilities access to any premises open to the public. Those who are denied access to premises, services, or amenities can seek damages in court, with awarded damages recoverable as a civil debt.
Photo courtesy: NCPWD
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