Weekly Proceedings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
In a series of sessions held from October 19-21, 2022, the German Bundestag discussed a range of legislative proposals aimed at addressing various national concerns. While the specific contents of the draft bills debated during these sessions are not explicitly detailed, the discussions centered around energy crisis response measures, digitalisation of social security, and employee rights, among other topics.
During these sessions, the Bundestag explored proposals to improve the efficiency and digitalisation of the federal government's social security system. The federal government plans to amend the Fourth Social Security Code and other laws to streamline procedures, reduce bureaucracy, and make the system more efficient. Notable changes include the ability for employers to automatically retrieve insurance numbers from the data center of the pension insurance, and the abolition of the obligation to present a social security card.
In response to the energy crisis, the government discussed measures to shield consumers from rising energy prices, including subsidies and tax cuts for energy costs and efficiency improvements, amounting to roughly €30 billion in economic measures. The Bundestag also debated a bill for a one-time payment to relieve federal retirees and pensioners due to rising energy and living costs.
Employee rights were another focus, with the government introducing a bill to maintain co-determination rights of employees during cross-border transformations of their company by their employer. The bill also aims to develop a scientifically sound method for staffing by December 31, 2025. Interim staffing guidelines will be developed, taking into account the updated nursing staff regulation (PPR 2.0), with the trial phase for the interim solution beginning in January 2023.
The Bundestag also discussed a draft bill for a needs-based staffing level for hospitals, which will be implemented starting January 1, 2024. Hospitals that already have a relief tariff agreement with binding rules for minimum staffing can be exempted from the guidelines.
Looking ahead, the federal government is set to introduce a draft bill for an Opportunity Residence Permit for long-term tolerated persons who have been living in Germany since January 1, 2022, for five years, adhere to the free democratic basic order, and have not been involved in criminal activities. The government will also debate a bill to ratify amendments to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) this week.
In international affairs, the federal government plans to continue the German military mandate to combat IS terrorism and stabilize Iraq, with the mandate covering exclusively Iraq as the area of operation and being comprehensively reviewed during the mandate period. The government is also introducing a bill to implement the EU Cross-Border Transformation Directive in the Bundestag this week.
Access to integration courses and language courses for professionals will be open to all asylum seekers in the future, subject to available places. The federal government is also working on a draft bill for digital communication between relevant trade registers for cross-border mergers, divisions, and changes in legal form of stock corporations, European companies, and limited liability companies.
Lastly, the federal government will discuss a bill for a second heating costs allowance (HKZ II) for the increased burden on households in 2022, and a draft bill for a needs-based staffing level for hospitals during the 62nd Session. The allowance is 300 euros and is taxable, but it will not be offset against social benefits. A uniform legal basis for the certification obligation of employers will be created to relieve citizens and employers in processing.
For precise bill texts and session records for the 62nd to 64th Bundestag sessions in October 2022, consulting the official Bundestag session transcripts or legislative databases is recommended.
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