First reading of the Draft Act Amending the Child Protection Act and Other Acts (427 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd session, plenary session
Date: 2024-05-29 18:43
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 21
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 43m
AI Summaries: 21/21 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated the first reading of the Act on Amendments to the Child Protection Act and other acts (Draft 427 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The central objective of the draft legislation is to improve the field of child protection: enhancing the system for identifying children in need of assistance, establishing clearer grounds for data usage and exchange, and fostering better networks among specialists to ensure that support reaches children requiring aid more quickly. Furthermore, the bill provides for automatic data exchange between the health and social systems, along with proactive assistance from local governments and the Social Insurance Board to families raising a child who requires support due to a specific health condition. Budgetary matters are addressed with the involvement of ESF (European Social Fund) resources, and the entry into force is scheduled for January 1, 2025.
Decisions Made 3
A motion to include the draft act on the agenda of the plenary sitting on May 29th; to appoint Õnne Pillak as the rapporteur for the lead committee; and to conclude the first reading of the draft act.
The decision regarding the conclusion of the bill’s first reading was reached; EKRE’s proposal to reject the bill during the first reading failed to gain support (11 in favor, 50 against, 0 abstentions).
Deadline for submitting amendments: June 12th at 5:15 PM.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was VrDPwHs2xBs, a member of parliament who likely represents the right-wing faction (the EKRE group). He was dynamic, raising and formally submitting several questions and comments regarding the direction of the proposed legislative changes, as well as the oversight and practical implications thereof.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Let us proceed to the second item on the agenda, which is the first reading of Draft Bill 427, the Act amending the Child Protection Act and other Acts. The Minister of Social Protection, Signe Riisalo, will take the floor at the Riigikogu rostrum for the presentation.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo said that the sole purpose of the planned amendments to the Child Protection Act and other laws is to improve child protection, including ensuring that children who need help are noticed and brought to the attention of child protection workers, establishing clear grounds for the use and exchange of personal data, promoting the provision of support services to families, and automatic data exchange between the health and social systems, local governments, and the Social Insurance Board to offer proactive assistance.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Speaker interrupts Randpere and Seeder’s conversation, saying that their discussion might be interesting, but the Minister is currently being heard.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo is introducing a draft bill, the purpose of which is to strengthen the obligation of specialists working with children to identify a child in need of help and immediately notify the child protection worker, while simultaneously establishing simple guidelines and clarity regarding the processing of personal data, and ensuring the smooth operation of this notification system for local governments with the assistance of the European Social Fund. The bill will enter into force on January 1, 2025, alongside supplementary amendments concerning substitute care services, personal data protection, psychiatric assistance, and social benefits for persons with disabilities.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Vice-Chairman thanks the speaker for the very comprehensive report, announces that there are questions, and now gives the floor to Aleksandr Tšaplõgin.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He asks whether we are moving toward the Scandinavian model, where a child can be removed from their family following any complaint and given, for example, to a same-sex couple.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo said that the planned changes do not involve separating children from their families, but rather focus on the early identification of the need for assistance and the rapid provision of aid to children suffering from severe health conditions and those who are victims of violence. Furthermore, the bill aims to offer security and support services to guardianship and foster families.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Rain Epler.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler asks why an additional paragraph is being added concerning the obligation for certain professions to report a child in need of assistance, and whether stricter supervision or penalties are foreseen for them, given that the obligation already exists and the purpose of the clause remains unclear.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo pointed out that additional duty of care obligations will be introduced for childcare workers and other specialists, and they will be provided with guidance materials, training, and support—rather than sanctions—to enhance children's welfare.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi asked Rain Epler to pose his second question.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler discusses the definition of negligence in Estonia, brings up an example from the USA and the causes of Gen Z anxiety, and asks whether a child going to a friend's house could lead to the parents being labeled as negligent.
Sotsiaalkaitseminister Signe Riisalo
AI Summary
Riisalo emphasizes that neglect depends on the child's age, and parents must ensure age-appropriate supervision and safety, avoiding both excessive protectiveness and the health problems associated with being left unattended.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked the Minister for his precise and substantive address and announced that Committee Chairman Õnne Pillak would present the positions, discussion, and decisions of the lead committee on behalf of the Social Affairs Committee.
Õnne Pillak
Profiling Eesti Reformierakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Õnne Pillak summarized the discussion of the Social Affairs Committee, stating that although all interest groups supported the changes and bureaucracy would not be increased, the scarcity and burnout of child protection workers in local municipalities are a cause for concern. Furthermore, guidelines and registers will improve the flow of information. Supervision and funding were also discussed, and it was decided to add the draft bill to the plenary session agenda on May 29th, appoint Pillak as the lead rapporteur, and conclude the first reading.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi expressed his thanks, stated that there were no questions, and opened the discussions to Rain Epler on behalf of the EKRE faction.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler emphasized that the bill increases state intervention and the processing of children's personal data, while also creating bureaucracy. He views this as an expansion of state control in the Scandinavian style, and consequently proposed, on behalf of the faction, that the bill be rejected during the first reading.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Helmen Kütt, speaking on behalf of the Social Democratic Party faction, requested three minutes of additional time.
Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The Social Democrats support amendments to the Child Protection Act aimed at improving the early identification and proactive assistance provided to children in need. This assistance will be channeled through local governments and the Social Insurance Board, involving specialists and regulating the processing of personal data. The statement also recalls previous achievements in supporting child and family benefits and children with disabilities, and addresses the issue of establishing June 1st, International Children's Day, as a national observance.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi declares the debates closed and calls for a vote on the EKRE faction's proposal to reject Bill 427 at the first reading.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The proposal received 11 votes in favor, 50 against, and 0 abstentions. The first reading of Bill 427 has been concluded, the deadline for submitting amendments is June 12th at 5:15 p.m., and we have finished the consideration of the second item on the agenda.