The Milli Majlis (National Assembly) of the Republic of Azerbaijan has approved a comprehensive set of amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses in its final reading. According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the legislation introduces new sanctions concerning the "ICMAL" information system, child protection, the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI), and regulations for private bailiffs.
Under the new regulations, the "ICMAL" information system will be reorganized as a sub-system of the "Digital State Finance" platform, serving as a centralized automated board for administrative fines. This transformation aims to integrate the analysis of administrative fine revenues and the monitoring of data accuracy into a unified state financial platform. Additionally, the amendments introduce strict penalties for violence against children. Parents or institutional employees found using corporal punishment or psychological violence as a disciplinary measure will face fines of 200 AZN. Failure to report signs of violence against children to law enforcement or local commissions will result in fines ranging from 200 to 600 AZN.
The legislation also addresses modern technological challenges by regulating AI-generated content. Individuals who knowingly distribute AI-generated photos, videos, or audio materials without clear labeling or watermarks in the media or on internet resources will be fined between 80 and 150 AZN. Furthermore, the act of begging has been reclassified from "vagrancy" to a standalone offense, carrying fines of up to 200 AZN or up to 10 days of administrative arrest. Involving minors in begging will carry harsher penalties, including fines up to 500 AZN or 15 days of arrest.
The Milli Majlis (National Assembly) is the unicameral legislative branch of the government in Azerbaijan, consisting of 125 deputies elected for five-year terms. These legislative updates reflect Azerbaijan's ongoing efforts to modernize its legal framework in response to digital transformation and social protection needs. The bill was put to a vote and adopted in the third reading following extensive discussions in the capital, Baku.
