The government is presenting a bill that will give social services the ability to use coercive measures for preventive purposes when families do not consent to interventions for children who are at risk of being drawn into crime.
The bill, a referral to the legislative council, means that the social welfare committee can, for example, decide on special regulations requiring children and young people to submit to drug tests or to stay at home during certain hours. To enforce such a regulation, the government is also preparing another proposal on electronic ankle cuffs for young people.
If the regulations are not followed, a fine may be issued to the parents.
The proposed so-called intermediate coercion law has received harsh criticism from, among others, the National Board of Health and Welfare, which, for example, believes that electronic monitoring is an overly intrusive measure for young people who are not suspected or convicted of a crime.
The agency also warns that the Interim Compulsory Care Act may make cooperation between families and social services more difficult.
