Draft law amending the Child Protection Act and other laws (427 SE) – third reading
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 4th session, plenary session
Date: 2024-12-11 21:14
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 14
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 21m
AI Summaries: 14/14 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The main topic of the presentation was the third reading in the Riigikogu of the draft law 427, initiated by the Government of the Republic, amending the Child Protection Act and other laws. The focus of the discussion was the draft law’s aim to clarify and strengthen child protection mechanisms, improve early detection, and increase cooperation between foster, guardianship, and adoptive families. We considered how to better coordinate the roles and responsibilities of local governments and the Social Insurance Board (SKA) so that children in need of assistance can receive necessary support in a timely manner and so that the system reduces duplication and burdens on various positions.
The second part of the discussion raised a strong emotional and political proposal, in which different parties presented critical and constructive viewpoints. One overarching concern was expressed that the amendments may create risk-based gaps and influence the balance between child safety and parental rights. Parties emphasized the need to precisely define which crimes and prohibitions will remain in force and how to ensure effective control upon implementation, while others found that the state’s obligation is to increase early intervention and strengthen support networks. The final vote on the draft law was held and it was adopted as a law.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 427 has been passed as law by the Riigikogu. The vote result: 51 in favor, 20 against, no abstentions.
Most Active Speaker
Riina Solman (Isamaa faction) – the most active speaker. A member of the right-wing political spectrum (right).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, opened the debate on the third reading of the draft law No. 427 on amendments to the Child Protection Act and other laws, invited Kert Kingo to the floor, and granted three minutes of additional time.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo claims that since January 2022, when Kaja Kallas came to power with the backing of the KAPO and it was said that “Estonia is back,” the fruits of liberal and tolerant governments’ actions are visible, including the perversion of the concept of marriage.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, apologizes that there is noise in the hall and that he cannot hear, and asks Kert Kingol to continue with the presentation.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo claims that the bill would allow pedophiles to work with children again, that previous bans would be erased and families would be torn apart, and he calls on the people to stand up for the protection of children and to resist the government's actions.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks, and on behalf of the Isamaa faction asks Riina Solman to take the floor in the Riigikogu.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman notes that Isamaa does not support the draft of the Child Protection Act, because establishing a restriction, not a ban, increases the risk group among those who work with children and provides an opportunity for pedophiles and other individuals who harm children to gain employment; she emphasizes the importance of the power of an independent court and wishes to expand the list in the criminal records registry and to keep the ban in force even after deletion from the criminal records registry and archiving, in order to protect children.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman, Lauri Hussar, asks for three more minutes.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman claims that the proposed changes will increase the risk that pedophiles will be able to work with children, because the mechanisms for control and risk assessment will remain hidden from the public behind a curtain, and responsibility should lie with law enforcement authorities rather than employers, and the ban on working with children must be maintained until all related types of crimes are clearly defined in law.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair invited Züleyxa Izmailovat to the podium and, with authorization, granted him the floor to speak on behalf of the Social Democratic Party faction.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Züleyxa Izmailova emphasized that ensuring every Estonian child grows up in a safe and nurturing environment is the goal, and the bill makes the processes more concrete, explains how children in need are identified and helped, and dispels the misconception that the changes allow unsuitable people to work with children.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, asked the speaker to conclude and noted that interruptions prevent a speech from being delivered here, and asked Züleyxa Izmailova to continue.
Züleyxa Izmailova
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The briefing emphasizes that although restrictions on working with children remain in force, the main objective of Bill 427 is earlier identification and the provision of better assistance, and improving cooperation with municipalities and the Estonian Social Insurance Board, in order to create an effective system of support services for foster care, guardianship, and adoptive families, and to ensure that no child goes without assistance.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar concluded his remarks and brought to a final vote the government-initiated draft bill No. 427 to amend the Child Protection Act and other laws.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu adopted draft bill No. 427 into law: 51 members voted in favour, 20 against, and there were no abstentions.