MOSCOW, December 18 - RAPSI. The State Duma has postponed until January 22 the first reading of a bill proposed by the Novosibirsk Region to impose fines of up to 500,000 rubles ($16,300) for promoting homosexuality among children, A Just Russia member Yelena Mizulina, who heads the Duma's Committee on Family, Women and Children's Issues, told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.

The bill stipulates fines for promoting homosexuality among underaged individuals. Regular citizens have been proposed to be fined 4,000-5,000 rubles ($130-162), officials - 40,000-50,000 rubles ($1,300-1,624), and legal entities - 400,000-500,000 rubles ($13,000-16,250).

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said there is no reason to limit homosexuality by law at a news conference on December 7.

"Not every moral issue, behavioral habit or communication issue between people should be regulated," he said in response to a question on banning homosexuality. "This is why not all relationships between people are subject to legal interpretation."

The prime minister said too much fuss was made about the issue in Russia and that it concerns few people.

"This issue probably does not concern too many people in the country, and it's not discussed at all levels," Medvedev said.

At the same time, he said lawmakers have the right to submit any proposals or bills to parliament.