On April 8, 2022, the Sejm passed another amendment amending the Act on Assistance to Ukrainian Citizens in Connection with the Armed Conflict on the Territory of Ukraine of March 12, 2022. The first amendment, announced on March 26, expands the scope of the Act by deleting the word "directly" from certain articles. This means that the Act will apply not only to Ukrainian citizens who directly crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border, but also to those who arrived in Poland through the territory of third countries , such as Slovakia.
The new law was unanimously adopted by the Senate on April 12, 2022, and signed by the President on April 14. The first article of the amendment expands the scope of the term "citizen of Ukraine" to include spouses of Ukrainian citizens who do not hold Ukrainian citizenship, provided they arrived in Poland due to military operations conducted there and are not Polish citizens. The provisions of the law are primarily intended to streamline and expedite the registration of newly arrived Ukrainian citizens in the PESEL system . Municipal authorities will be able to engage volunteers – public administration employees and municipal organizational units – in the PESEL number assignment process by temporarily authorizing them to perform activities related to registering foreigners. Under the new regulations, minors under 12 years of age do not have to be present to obtain a PESEL number. For individuals who, due to health or disability, are unable to submit an application in person at the municipal office, the municipal authority must ensure that the application can be submitted at the person's place of residence. The amendment introduces the possibility of representing persons with disabilities or those lacking legal capacity or with limited legal capacity by a parent, guardian, or legal guardian. In the absence of such persons, a PESEL number can be assigned ex officio. The act also includes provisions concerning the temporary admission of Ukrainian doctors to practice in Poland to provide medical assistance to Ukrainian citizens, as well as enabling Ukrainian citizens to provide psychological support to their compatriots who do not speak Polish. Ukrainian citizens will have the opportunity to participate in classes conducted by the Center for Social Integration. Furthermore, a new Crisis Guarantee Fund will be established at the National Economy Bank, which will be able to provide guarantees and guarantors for the repayment of loans or other obligations incurred by entrepreneurs, while the existing Aid Fund will be able to finance the activities of Polish services to ensure the safety of Ukrainian refugees.
Another amendment to refine the existing regulations and supplement them with necessary changes is planned for later this month. The new law, like the previous one, enters into force on the day following its publication, with effect from February 24, 2022.
