The Polish Senate has unanimously approved an amendment to the Court Probation Officers Act, introducing accelerated professional examination paths, modern service identification cards, and streamlined wage regulation processes.
Accelerated Examination Path
The Senate passed the amendment to the Court Probation Officers Act on Thursday with 83 votes in favor and none against. The new law allows the Minister of Justice, in justified cases and upon the request of a district court president, to shorten the probation apprenticeship period, enabling apprentices to sit for their professional exams sooner.
Streamlining Wage Regulations
Authority for issuing regulations regarding base salary multipliers for professional probation officers and apprentices, as well as functional and sponsorship allowances, is being transferred to the Ministry of Justice. This shift aims to shorten the legislative process required to implement salary adjustments.
Modernization of Credentials
The legislation mandates the replacement of current, paper-based service booklets with modern, secure service identification cards for professional and social probation officers, as well as apprentices. The current booklets are deemed archaic and vulnerable to damage.
Refining Supervisory Duties
The act clarifies the criteria for awarding special allowances to professional probation officers and expands the possibilities for officer delegations. It also provides further clarity regarding the visitation and inspection processes for district probation services and updates the composition of examination committees.
Next Steps for Implementation
Ministry of Justice Deputy Head Maria Ejchart noted that this technical amendment addresses immediate operational challenges while work on a broader reform continues. Most provisions will take effect 14 days after publication in the Journal of Laws, with the transition to new service cards scheduled for April 1, 2027.
