TRC control and medical video rules spark legal and financial questions
Bill No. 13393, submitted by MP Anastasiia Liashenko, is presented as a means of strengthening accountability for violations during mobilization. However, despite its declared goal, the proposal may actually ease legal responsibility for Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC) personnel.
The bill introduces criminal liability for TRC staff who abuse their authority and mandates video recording of medical examinations during military enlistment. It is positioned as a response to public complaints about illegal conscriptions and aims to reduce social tension and restore trust in the mobilization process.
Yet, the proposed new articles of the Criminal Code — 337-1 and 337-2 — may lower the penalties for violations. Currently, TRC personnel are subject to Article 426-1, Part 4 of the Criminal Code, which provides for 8 to 12 years in prison for abuse of authority with grave consequences. The new provisions could offer a milder punishment, effectively softening responsibility for those in power.
The bill also claims that its implementation will require no additional state funding. This raises concerns, as mandatory video surveillance in medical settings would demand equipment, technical support, and robust data protection. No financial or logistical plans have been outlined to support this.
Moreover, from a legal standpoint, the proposal lacks clarity. Under Ukraine’s personal data protection laws and medical confidentiality regulations, video recording of medical procedures requires explicit legal safeguards and patient consent. Without them, the measure may violate constitutional rights and create legal conflicts.
Thus, despite its declared purpose of protecting citizens' rights, Bill No. 13393 could ultimately reduce legal consequences for those already abusing their authority in Ukraine's mobilization system.