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Cabinet Re-approves Draft Amendments to Simplify Applications of Naturalization for Foreign Professionals, Introduces New Rules on Naturalization for Stateless Children .
The Cabinet reapproved draft amendments to the Nationality Act to ease residency requirements for foreign professionals applying for naturalization, as well as introducing a new provision to allow social welfare agencies or institutions acting as guardians to apply for naturalization on behalf of stateless children in Taiwan.
As updated, the required period of residence is shortened to two continuous years, defined as being present in the country for at least 183 days per year, or a legal stay of more than five consecutive years for those not meeting the annual requirement.
The Ministry of Interior hopes this proposal will benefit Taiwan in many ways, by improving retention of foreign professional talents including in efforts to naturalize foreign basketball players to play on the national team.Changes are also made within Taiwan’s Civil Code, with the legal age of majority lowered from 20 to 18.
Source : Focus Taiwan
Executive Yuan Passes Draft Amendment to the Electronic Signatures ActOn February 29, 2024, the Executive Yuan passed the Draft Amendment to the Electronic Signatures Act (ESA).
To be submitted onto the Legislative Yuan for further review, the Draft Amendment aims to build upon Taiwan’s electronic signature laws and regulations since the ESA’s enactment in 2002.Key points of the Draft Amendment include:
Clearly distinguish between electronic signatures and digital signatures;
Documents with digital signatures will be presumed as the signer's personal signature;
Explicitly state that electronic signatures and electronic documents have the same legal effect as physical signatures and physical documents;
Adjust the requirements for obtaining the consent of the counterparties;
Enable various government authorities to apply the Electronic Signature Act in the future;
Make technology interoperability principles as requirements for accepting foreign certificates of Electronic Signatures.
Source : Chine Times
Executive Yuan Approves Changes to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, With Approval of Draft Guidelines on Pedestrian Safety.
On March 7, 2024, the Executive Yuan approved amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, assuring drivers who commit “minor traffic violations” found within the act would not be subject to demerit points. Upon amendment, individuals who report such violations are no longer able to receive cash rewards.
Minor traffic violations refer to offenses resulting in a fine of NT$1,200 or less, including but not limited to: parking at entrances to airports, railway stations, ports, schools, entertainment venues, exhibition centers, stadiums, markets or in front of fire hydrants.Drivers who commit traffic violations will still incur demerit points if they are stopped by law enforcement, but not in cases where the violations are reported by members of the public or caught on surveillance cameras.
The Executive Yuan also approved a draft pedestrian safety facility bill, obliging traffic authorities to relocate telecom boxes, postal boxes, and fire hydrants that hinder traffic or pedestrians.
The measure states that owners of items blocking traffic will face fines of up to NT$150,000 if they fail to repair the issue within a certain time frame. People who modify or create objects on covered walkways or sidewalks without authorization risk a punishment of up to NT$25,000.
Source : Taipei Times