The second reading of the draft law amending the Social Welfare Act and other laws (special care services and change of address) (421 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th sitting, plenary session
Date: 2024-09-25 18:23
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 9
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 14m
AI Summaries: 9/9 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
This agenda item concerns the second reading of the draft law amending the Social Welfare Act and other laws (special care services and change of residential address) No. 421. The draft law aims to establish regulations for daytime and weekly respite care services and to supplement the relevant rights, public health and state fee rules, and the Population Register Act. The service is intended for people with moderate to severe and profound or other specified/intellectual disabilities who have a high need for care and supervision, and it is hoped that this will alleviate the burden on family caregivers and enable the continuation of work or part-time work. The first reading took place in May, various organizations were involved in the procedural process, and the draft law has been reviewed in several sessions, including on September 10th and 23rd, where both substantive and technical aspects were considered. The effective date of the draft law is planned to commence on January 1, 2025, excluding changes to register data.
Decisions Made 2
The proposal is to proceed with bill 421 to the plenary session agenda following the second reading, to appoint Helmen Kütt as the representative of the steering committee, and to conclude the second reading and carry out the final vote on October 9th.
At the session held on September 23rd, technical and linguistic adjustments were made: clarifications to the text, specifying which chapter of which law the new paragraph will be added to, and ensuring the clarity of boundaries and references. Refinement of amendment instructions and headings in accordance with regulations.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Vladimir Arhipov (pid 0nFdBnElPyE), who posed two questions regarding the second reading of draft 421. His role is a member of parliament, and his position can be noted as someone whose actions remained central during the session as a questioner; his political affiliation, leaning to the left or right, is conceptually characterized as "other" (muu) – very direct party affiliations are absent in this context.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
We have reached the fourth item on the agenda, which concerns the second reading of Bill 421, initiated by the government, regarding amendments to the Social Welfare Act and other related legislation. For the presentation, we invite Helmen Kütt, a member of the Riigikogu Social Affairs Committee.

Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt announced that the Social Affairs Committee adopted Draft Bill 421, which establishes regulations for day and week care services and introduces corresponding amendments in the fields of taxation, public health, and the population register. The bill directs assistance toward individuals with intellectual disabilities and high care needs, reduces waiting lists, improves the working capacity of family caregivers, and ensures the consistent quality of the service. Its entry into force is primarily scheduled for January 1, 2025 (with the amendment concerning register entries taking effect separately), following a consensual debate across two readings.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked [the previous speaker/group] and announced that there was one question, asking Vladimir Arhipov to present it.

Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov asks whether any feedback on the draft has also been received specifically from individual local governments, and if so, what that feedback entailed, considering that he was informed that only amendments were sent.

Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helmen Kütt stated that all the organizations that had been listed were involved in drafting the bill, and she emphasized that funding and responsibility must be regulated, given that local governments cover the costs in many cases and the country’s economic situation could potentially impact the availability of the service.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker asks Vladimir Arhipov to ask his second question.

Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov asked whether the state had considered providing state support to local governments to cover their administrative burden and operating costs.

Helmen Kütt
Profiling Sotsiaaldemokraatliku Erakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The revenue base of local governments is being increased through various measures, and they decide whom and how to support. However, there are differences across Estonia, and he/she emphasized the need for clearer wording in Section 89 of the Social Welfare Act concerning the coverage of premises costs, because, using the example of the Liikva Sun Home (Päikesekodu), these costs are higher since only one service is provided.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Thank you very much, there are no questions; I open the debate and immediately close it. We move on to the review of amendments. One amendment has been submitted by the Social Affairs Committee, and the lead committee wishes to fully consider it. All amendments have been reviewed, and the conclusion of the second reading of Draft Act 421 has been decided.