Today the Verkhovna Rada approved a bill on ensuring the functioning of the Ukrainian language as a state language. This law has already caused a lot of discussions in Ukraine and proposals for refinements. The consolidation of the status of the Ukrainian language and its development was put on balance with restrictions for those who speak different languages.

After almost two months and 2 thousand proposed amendments, the Verkhovna Rada was still able to pass the bill. "For" voted 278 people's deputies.

The next step is signing the law passed by the President. And 2 months after the publication of the law, he will come into force.

What does the adopted law say?

1. The law defines the Ukrainian language as the only state language and official language of the country.
2. Local authorities are prohibited from interfering with the use of the Ukrainian language.
3. Attempts to provide official status to any other language will be treated as "acts aimed at forcibly changing or overthrowing the constitutional order", which is a crime.
4. In private communication and in religion, it is allowed to communicate in any language, but citizens are required to have a state language.
5. All applicants for a Ukrainian passport will be a separate exam (except for those serving in the army, or granting citizenship to which the state interest is).
6. In each region it is planned to create a center for free studying of the Ukrainian language.
7. The law provides for the establishment of a National Commission on Standards for the State Language (consisting of 9 people), which will approve the standards of the language, will check the level of its ownership when acquiring citizenship or taking up public office.
8. A wide range of people should be aware and fluent in the state language: from the president, members of the government and deputies of all levels, prosecutors, contract officers, educators and community health physicians.
9. Education in Ukraine is conducted in Ukrainian, but representatives of national minorities have the right to acquire pre-school and primary education even in their native language at state and municipal educational institutions - in special classes and groups. In state institutions, one or more disciplines can be taught in two or more languages ​​- in the state language, in English, in other official languages ​​of the European Union.
10. The language of foreign language training should also be state-owned, except for exams from foreign languages. This rule will apply from January 1, 2025.
11. Accompanying all concerts, theatrical performances, public events in Ukraine should be conducted in the state language. If the presenter does not know Ukrainian, then his speech should be translated. At the same time, you can use other languages ​​for artistic necessity.
12. Foreign films in Ukraine need to be shown with sounding or dubbing in Ukrainian, as it is now. The law also allows the use in the film of unproduced replicas in a foreign language, but necessarily with Ukrainian subtitles.
13. The law increases the share of the Ukrainian language on the air. After 5 years, it is 90% for national TV channels and radio stations, for regional ones - at least 80%.
14. Printed media are allowed to be published in several language versions, but one of them must be Ukrainian. It is also stated that in each place of sale of print media the names of Ukrainian publications should be at least half. These changes should come into force 30 months after the adoption of the law.
15. In bookstores, at least half should be Ukrainian names. For specialized bookstores (bookstores of foreign literature, textbooks of foreign languages) this norm will not be effective (changes will be launched in 2 years after the entry into force of the law).
16. Public authorities have the right to use programs only in Ukrainian, in the absence of such - in English.
17. Sites and Web portals of companies in social networks should have a Ukrainian version that has the same information as other languages ​​(18 months to implement).
18. Computer programs sold in Ukraine must have an interface in Ukrainian, English, or EU languages ​​(not permitted in Russian).
19. The language of service in all establishments is Ukrainian. However, personal services are provided at a request from a client in a different language.
20. The language of the advertisement is Ukrainian. Exceptions can be made in the law on national minorities.

Previously there was a lot of criticism about the introduction of "language inspectors" in Ukraine. However, this rule is excluded. Instead, they introduced control of violations of citizens' linguistic rights and inactivity of the authorities by a special institution headed by the lawyer for language protection.

Every citizen can apply to the authorized person. If he establishes a violation of the language law on the part of the company, he shall make the relevant protocol. After that, the entity has 30 days to eliminate the violation, otherwise - a fine of 5 100 up to 6 800 hryvnias is foreseen. It can be paid within 15 days or appeal in court.

It is envisaged that the fine will start to act 6 months after the appointment of the Commissioner.

In addition, after 3 years, there is also a general administrative liability. In particular, for violating the language of the clerical work, the Armed Forces and the National Police, a fine of 3 400 to 6 800 hryvnias is imposed, in the field of culture, education, advertising - 3 400 - 5 100 hryvnias, and in the printed media - 6 800-8 500 hryvnias.

In other cases - the fine will be 3 400-5 100 hryvnias.