A general secrecy-breaking provision is proposed to be introduced in the law. This means that a new main rule will be that authorities may share information.
This is a very important step we're taking today, says Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer (M).
We know that information held by one authority is often crucial for another authority to take action.
Secrecy surrounding individuals may be broken if it can contribute to investigating and preventing criminal activity, or for detecting or investigating incorrect payments.
A practical example could be information exchange between schools, county administrative boards, correctional care, and police, or between municipalities when a person moves between different locations.
Warns of risks
The legislative proposal covers all authorities and municipalities, as well as regions. Certain sensitive secrecy, such as that related to healthcare, will not be broken, but rather secrecy within social services. A weighing of interests must be made before information is disclosed.
Secrecy has been seen as a major obstacle in the fight against, among other things, welfare fraud, and the government has loosened it in several steps. At the beginning of April, for example, a new law came into force, which means that, among other things, social services and schools must provide information to the police.
However, criticism has also been directed at the proposal now being presented. Authorities dealing with integrity protection point to "significant risks" that information disclosure will become more extensive than necessary, and that the proposal poses major risks to personal integrity.
"Breaks down" trust
This is a major change. On the other hand, I see that it is a change that is entirely necessary given how society has developed and the needs that exist. Authorities and different actors in municipalities are strongly demanding this, says Strömmer.
He believes that the legislation, as it has been formulated, is legally secure.
The Swedish Association of Graduate Professionals, SSR, which represents many of the country's social workers, is, however, very critical and believes that the change "breaks down" trust in social services.
"Too many people will not seek social services' help if they know that all information about them will go directly to the police", says Chairperson Heike Erkers in a written comment.
The law change is proposed to come into force on December 1 this year.
