A new bill has been registered in Ukraine’s Parliament proposing the decriminalization of the production and distribution of pornographic content among consenting adults while significantly increasing criminal penalties for offenses involving child pornography and the sexual exploitation of minors.
Bill No. 15294, which introduces amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine, was registered on June 3.
The legislation proposes tougher penalties for producing, storing, transporting, selling, or distributing pornographic materials to minors and young children. Such offenses would be punishable by three to seven years in prison, along with restrictions on holding certain positions or engaging in specific activities.
If the crimes are committed repeatedly, by an organized group, or for substantial financial gain, the proposed punishment would increase to five to ten years of imprisonment.
The bill also introduces penalties for organizing sexual performances involving minors, operating venues linked to the sexual exploitation of children, pimping, and involving minors in prostitution.
At the same time, the authors propose decriminalizing the import, storage, transportation, production, mailing, sale, and distribution of pornographic materials among consenting adults.
The bill was introduced by Members of Parliament Yaroslav Zhelezniak.
Commenting on the initiative, Zhelezniak said lawmakers held consultations with representatives of various parliamentary factions after a previous bill failed to pass, seeking a compromise that could gain broader support.
According to him, the new proposal both strengthens penalties for crimes against children and removes what he described as “outdated Soviet-era provisions” criminalizing adult content.
He also noted that the bill has been signed by 45 lawmakers representing nearly all parliamentary factions and groups, including members of Parliament’s leadership and committee chairs.
On May 28, Ukraine’s Parliament rejected a similar bill, No. 12191, which also sought to amend provisions of the Criminal Code related to offenses against public order and morality.
